TRAFFIC SIGNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1937, Page 5

TRAFFIC SIGNS

CONFERENCE DECISIONS. [FEB PEEBB ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, February 16. A number of recommendations were made at the recent conference of representatives of the different traffic authorities throughout the Dominion, Automobile Associations, and interestof ,Government Departments, with a view to shearing greater uniformity in traffic signs. After dealing with the more technical aspect of the erection of signs, the recommendations, go on to deal wtih the parking problem. One recommendation is to the effect that a sign in the form of an upright oblong, with rounded corners, twelve inches by eighteen inches, and having the capital letter “P” seven and a half inches high thereon, be the standard parking sign throughout New Zealand, and be adopted whenever the present signs are replaced; such signs be erected only where essential either at railway crossings or elsewhere, it being considered that signs have been erected in the past too freely at railway crossings, and their value as a warning has thus been lessened. It is also recommended that the word “compulsory” be omitted. Other recommendations deal with the placing of Class Y and Z signs indicating the beginning or end of the legal speed limit, and the erection of warning signs for road work in progress ahead, and there is a final recommendation to the Road Safety Council -that it consider the question of steps being taken to discourage the use of yellow and black on advertisements and notices other than traffic signs, as it is considered such use lessons the value o ftraffic signs. CAR TESTING FEE. AUCKLAND, February 14. Motorists will not be required to pay more than 2/6 to obtain a motor vehicle certificate of fitness, which it is’ obligatory u'nder the traffic regulations to carry after March 31 next, according to Mr F. G. Farrell, president of the Automobile Association (Auckland), who has been visiting Wellington. Representatives' of the North and South Island Motor Unions, said Mr Farrell, had interviewed the Commissioner of Transport, and had been advised that arrangements had been completed with the motor trade to conduct the necessary tests for the issuing of certificates of fitness. All garages officially classified A grade had already been so authorised by the Minister of Transport, Hon. R. Semple, and standardised official certificate forms were being circulated to these garages by the Government. The motor trade had agreed that the fee should not exceed 2/6. The commissioner said that only in in-, .stances where an officer of the Trans-1 port Department was called upon to conduct a test would a fee of 5/- be charged. Mr Farrell intimated that it was likely - that the city councils in the four main centres would also be gazetted examining authorities, but even in such cases the maximum fee would be limited to 2/6 every six months. It was understood that within two ■years the Government would, have completed its own national organisation throughout the country districts, when, with properly-equipped testing lanes, the examination of cars could he conducted with the least possible delay or inconvenience. By that time the Transport Department and local bodies at the main centres which had similar equipment would bo the only authorised examining authorities.