PERIOD OF GRACE FOR MOTORISTS WITH CAR TESTS

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1947, Page 2

PERIOD OF GRACE FOR MOTORISTS WITH CAR TESTS

P.A. WELLINGTON, Mav IS. The Minister of Transport, Hon. J. O’Brien, indicated that any motorists who have difficulty in securing warrants of fitness because of a rush on those examining the vehicles, are likely to be given some period of grace when the date of the next sixmonthly- examination falls due. Mr. O’Brien said that the Department was investigating complaints that motorists had been forced to wait in long queues before cars could be checked. Considerable delays and inconvenience had occurred at Dunedin and Christchurch, where the testing was carried out at central depots, and discussions were taking place with the municipal authorities and others with a view to eliminating the same state of affairs in six months’ time. “Our method is not to persecute motorists, but to advise them,” said the Minister. “Transport officers often give warning to offenders, but if there is persistent breaking of the law, there must be prosecutions.” Mr. O’Brien said that the six-monthly period of the renewal of warrants is necessary because of the very large number of old cars on the road. Some of them had been found to be without brakes and other essential safety devices.