RIGHT OF WAY ADVOCATED FOR ALL MAJOR ROADS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 September 1949, Page 2

RIGHT OF WAY ADVOCATED FOR ALL MAJOR ROADS

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 23 (P.A.). —The declaration of “major roads,” with the ultimate aim of traffic on them having the right of way over all other vehicles, was approved, in principle,' by the conference of the South Island Motor Union in Christchurch today. North Island Motor Union representatives said that the idea was rated by their members as premature, but they agreed to discuss the question in the joint committee of both union executives.

Dr S. A. Gibbs (Nelson) said that the main highways were built for fast traffic, and even now there was a natural tendency for traffic entering on either side to give such through traffic the right of way. Travel would tend to become faster, and provision for major roads was logical. He did not think the complication of the right hand rule need deter the delegates from supporting the proposal. “Major Road, Ahead” signs had been used, unofficially, in his area with splendid results said Mr M. M. MacDonald (Southland). State and main highways were the obvious ones to be declared major roads. Accidents had been reduced on the main road intersection through the use of unofficial “Major Road Ahead” signs in his area, too, said Mr J. Palliser (South Canterbury). Canterbury supported the idea, but wanted the major roads to be officially declared before the position was confused with unofficial signs, said Mr R. Twyneham. There was a problem in Canterbury through numbers of intersecting main roads being of “even value.”

When a report that reversing lights were prohibited on private vehicles was received, it was received, it was reported that amendments to the regulations were being prepared to permit the use of these lights, and also of double fog lamps. As there was a suggestion that the use of headlights would be forbidden while a reversing light was on, the Union will ask the Transport Department to supply a draft regulation for comment before it is brought into force. Officers Elected For the first time in its 30 years’ existence the South Island Motor Union has elected life members. They are Dr S. A. Gibbs (Nelson) and Mr J. S. Hawkes (Christchurch), who have both had a life-long association with motoring in New Zealand. The annual conference elected the following officers: President, Mr Robert Wilson (South Canterbury); vice-pre-sidents, C. M. Rout (Nelson), G. Hamilton (Canterbury), and G. W. Ferens (Otago); executive, Messrs I. V. Wilson (Southland), R. V. Bythell (Marlborough), G. T. Anderson (Otago), L. W. Broadhead, R. Twyneham and F. W. Freeman (Canterbury). Mr W. R. Carey (Canterbury), retired from the presidency, which he has held for a number of years. Delegates praised the keenness and forcefulness with which he had presented the motorists’ case to any authorities with which he had to deal.