THE MOTOR REGULATIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5001, 16 October 1918, Page 5

THE MOTOR REGULATIONS

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES TO-DAY.

StfME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

RULES WHICH SHOULD GOVERN ISSUE OF LICENSES.

Considerable importance attaches to the proposal which will be considered at a conference of local authorities to-day in Gisborne, to institute regulations governing the driving of motor vehicles in the Counties of Waikohu and Cook as well as in the Borough of Gisborne and with a view to arriving at a settlement in the question as to whether or not the lives of the xnot,a' 3 well as of the general public should be to some extent safeguarded by the imposing of restrictions on reckless and incompetent drivers. It has been realised for some time past that there are persons in charge of motor cars who do not possess even the elementary knowledge of their obligations to pedestrians and to other drivers of vehicles. Reckless or incompetent drivers are not only a source of danger*? themselves but to careful qualified, motorists, and it was probably with this idea in mind that the 1 overty Bay Motor Association suggested to the three local authorities referred to that regulations should b e framed.

ATTITUDE OF COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Borough Council and the Waikohu _ County Council endorsed the principle of the scheme but, unfortunatelw the Cook Comity Council could not see their way clear to support the proposal. It is to be sincerely hoped,- however, that their representatives at the conference have been given a free hand, and if such is the case the arguments which will he urged in favor of the imposing of regulations should without doubt convince them that the attitude adopted by the Cook County Council was arrived at without all the points in support of the Motor Association’s suggestions being available at the time.

It is obvious that if any real good is to result from the conference there must be unanimity in regard to the necessity for all drivers to be licensed. Licenses are issued in many districts, but there is no reason why Poverty Bay should not lead the way in the matter of rendering them more effective by imposing conditions which may not be operative in other place l ? The following suggestions, which have been based on experience gained of the practical working of such regulations in other countries, are given with a view to rendering assistance in the matter of framing rules and, possibly, the members of the conference may find them at least interesting.

SOME HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS

Every driver of a- motor driven vehicle should be in possession of a license to he granted by the local authority in whose district the driver is domiciled. No license should be granted before the driver’s ability has been tested by an inspector appointed by the respective authorities. The test should comprise an eyesight test — objects could be taken on the roadability to manoeuvre the vehicle in heavy traffic, the judging of speeds, and the relative distances in which the ear could he brought to a standstill; the ability to stop . within a given number of feet from any point; alternative means of stopping the car in the event of the footbrake failing to a'ct after de-clutching It is most important- that the rules of tlie road should be known by the applicant for a license and, Should i- he (or she) fail in any one particular *■ rule that should be sufficient to chsqualifv the person and application could ‘not be again made under a period of, sav, three months. No license should be granted to anyone under the age of 18 years. Whilst a statutory declaration should be made by the applicant that he does not suffer from fainting fits or from any disease which might be apt to render him suddenly incapable of controlling the machine. A charge of five shillings could be made, payable on applica tion and in the event of the drivei failino- to pass the test the could”he refunded. This prevent frivolous applications hisin„ made by persons who might pa s test and then refrain from making application for a license.

QUESTION OF SPEED. The question of speed is one which should be carefully considered No driver of a . motor car should be allowed to drive at more miles an hour anywhere whilst m the borough, the regulations ulnfT applv at the present time could he P f l a 8 they are. Drivers should not heallowif to travel round comOT at more than five miles an hour an eaeli driver should have read over to him regulations as to thei . rrnim speed at which cars should oe allowed’’ to travel. The coherence could also consider the question the question of cost could pos® l -j dangerous place on the roads ancl the question of cost could poss amicahlv arranged with the -i Association, which might t cost of the posts if the varioim auth orities undertook their erec . The licenses, as m England, coni he made renewable annually at a tee of 2s Gd or ss. which could be eai marked for work on the roads orfor some purposes which would e ficial to the travelling public. It essential that one man only .should examine applicants for licensed order to secure uniformity m respect to the tests, and whoever » «P pointed could act as traTc in pcrho , and in conjunction with Dm P ’ ula ! check anv breaches of the reguia tions and make suggestions from time to Of m course the question arises as to how the reckle'ss or careless dnvei who has passed the test sh™ld '» dealt with. In many cases the mere inflicting of a fine does not deter motorists of this cl.is.v. " worth while it the confeience considered whether or not power hhoul 1 he given to the local authority y- * ing the license to cancel Jt in m event of the holder being conv cWI of anv breach of the n.guUtn) For &er offences the. \,m. might bo suspended