ROAD SAFETY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 74, 29 March 1939, Page 13

ROAD SAFETY

STRICTER CONTROL

RECOMMENDATIONS MADE

LIGHTS AND SIGNS

Several important recommendations from the Commissioner of Transport (Mr. G. L. Laurenson) to the end of greater road safety are to be discussed at the meeting of the Road Safety, Council tomorrow, under the main headings of compulsory dipping of headlights, safety glass for all cars, rear lights for bicycles, blue lights for j large lorries and trailers, new provisions as to pedestrian crossings and safety zones, new signs at intersections, and the general enforcement of traffic regulations. Recommendations concerning headlights, to be incorporated in proposed amendments to the Traffic Regulations, j may be summarised as follows: — j No restriction upon the power of i headlamps. Headlamps to be adjusted so that the centre of the main beam does not rise above the horizontal and does not deflect to the right. \ DIPPING OF LIGHTS. The motorist should dip his lights— (a) When likely to dazzle the driver or rider of another vehicle (including bicycles). (b) When the street lights give 150 feet minimum visibility. (c) When approaching an intersection controlled by a traffic officer. Motor vehicles not equipped with a dipping device should have the headlamps permanently dipped. When the light is dipped the centre of the beam should strike the roadway not more than 100 feet ahead. The question of requiring distinguishing lights on trucks and vehicles drawing trailers should receive further consideration by the committee. Representations should be made to guard against glare from tramcar headlights. HIGHWAY LIGHTING. It is recommended:— That every effort be made to expedite the lighting of the, Hutt Road and the Great South Road, Auckland. That the council should draw the attention of local authorities to the need for improved lighting in the main thoroughfares of many municipalities. DISTINGUISHING LIGHTS. The lighting committee of the council has made a number of recommendations as to distinguishing lights for larger vehicles which created a potential danger at night, the main points being that vehicles of a greater loaded width than seven feet or a greater length than 20 feet and all trailers, shall carry a blue light, placed centrally and of standard lens measurement (3 square inches) and carrying power (300 feet). Passenger-service vehicles are already required to carry two lights of this nature. The proposal that cyclists should be required to carry rear lights on their machines has been discussed on previous occasions, but, taking all factors into consideration, the committee feels that while the evidence available does not fully justify an amendment to the regulations it is desirable that publicity should be given to the matter with the object of encouraging cyclists to fit rear red lights in addition to reflectors. It is also recommended that stricter enforcement of the regulations should be applied to ensure that all bicycles should at least comply with the existing requirements. SAFETY GLASS ON ALL MOTORS. A suggestion made by the North Island Motor Union that the fitting of safety glass in motor vehicles should be made compulsory was referred by the Transport Department to all interested parties, both in New Zealand and England, and no unfavourable comments have been received. The suggestion is that after a certain date all vehicles imported into or assembled in the Dominion should be fitted with safety glass. It is also considered desirable that no windscreen should be replaced, when damaged, with glass other than of the safety type. ROAD MARKINGS AND SIGNS. Another proposal for the council is that such road markings as centre lines, level crossing warnings, etc., should be made uniform through New Zealand, and the sub-committee dealing with this matter has suggested that a code should be drawn up for reference to all road controlling authorities and motor organisations. The manner in which traffic in minor roads should act when approaching intersections with heavily trafficked roads was before the council at its last meeting and since then surveys and observations have been made and it has been found that inmost cases an absolute stop is not necessary and that if the speed of vehicles emerging from the side road were reduced to 10 m.p.h. the danger would be almost eliminated. A new sign has therefore been designed and regulations are proposed making it an offence to pass such a sign at more than 10 m.p.h.