MOTOR REGULATIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 June 1928, Page 8

MOTOR REGULATIONS.

UN IF OHM INTERPRETATION DESIRED,

TRAFFIC INSPECTOR’S CONFER

With a. view to arriving at uniformity m interpretation of the new motor -gu lations, a conference of Taranaki traffic inspectors was held in the BorI agn Council Chambers, Stratford, yese relay. The discussion had ail enlightening effect on those comprising the issembla.ge, and an appreciable number of recomendatioii's were framed for presentation to the proper authorities. Mr R. Day (New Plymouth Borough Council) occupied the chair, and therewere also present: Messrs J. W. Harding (Hawera County Council), who acted as minute secretary, H. J. Williams vEltham County Council), S. 'Cuff' Stratford County Council), A. E. .ethbridge (Eitham Borough Council), {. Aroa (Taranaki County Council), J. \Y. Blvde (New Plymouth Borough Jouncil), F. M. Corkill (Figmont County Council), J. A. Hansen (Waimate West County Council), L. K. Barrett (Inglewood County Council), A. E. .Sayers (Stratford Borough Council), L. T. Kendrick (Waitara Borough Council), and G. F. Rowe (Clifton County Oounci).

Of the foregoing, Messrs J. W. Harding, J. A. Hansen and F. M. Gorki!!, though not traffic inspectors in the true •ife of the word, attended a.s representatives of their respective councils. In extending a welcome to the dele-a-tes, the Mayor of Stratford (Mr J. '. McMillan) stressed the importance of discussion of. regulations by inspectors. In the absence of such diseus-i'-:ion there was always a danger of different interpretations by individual inpoefors. and he considered it was in he interests of the province generally that there should he uniformity. The regulations were framed, firstly, for ' e public -safety, and, secondly, for the benefit of motorists. He was satisfied that the public realised the fact

that but for the inspectors the regulation of motor traffic generally would be difficult and dangerous. Inspectors a pro commonsense men, who intermeted the by-laws to the satisfaction of local bodies.

As president of the South Taranaki Automobile Association, Mr D. J. Mailone said the conference was a very d move and the inspectors could rely upon the whole-hearted support- of the association. Motorists were well aware that inspectors were sensible men. hut what wa. s required more than anything also was uniformity of interpretation.

“Inspectors,” said the chairman, “realist that their work is not so much that of ‘Nosey Parkers’ as that of educationalists.” He considered that the regulations were the finest thing ever instituted for New Zealand motorists. There were one or two faults that wild he altered, but he maintained I bat the regulations generally expressed the golden rule: “Do unto others as .you wonVT that others should do unto von.” ’What could be better than the riobt-band rule? Included in the regulation were five or six miles that would be welcomed by every decent motorist. It was ouite impossible for drivers to absorb all the regulations in a couple of months —the inspectors’ job was to interpret them and they must have a little patience at the outset. TAIL LIGHTS.

Sub-section 5 of clause 3, regarding < fie position of the tail light, created sbiiie discussion, opinions varying as io whether the lights might be just to the right of the centre or on tlie extreme right. Mr Sayers moved that it should he imperative that the light lie fixed t-o the right of the centre, the speaking claiming that there must ba uniformity so that a motorist would not be required to do one Thing in New Plymouth and quite a different tiling in another centre. Mr Williams said lie did not think it was intended that oar owners should be put to the expanse of moving tyre carriers with lights. Such expense wn.s not warranted.

Mu - Harding pointed out that, the regulation distinctly said “at or near the right,” and on bis suggestion an amendment was carried that the Public Works Department to asked to- give a. definition of the term “at or near the right.” All* Blvde said he would he isorry if. through fallowing the advice given by inspectors here, drivers would be liable to prosecution when they went to Wellington or. Auckland—they wanted a definite ruling. MOTOR ACCESSORIES.

It was decided that no action * should be taken regarding the fitting of regulation accessories until it was definitely known that isuch accessories were obtainable in the district.

; DEFINITION OF HEADLIGHTS. What brings a lamp within the defi- ; liition of a headlight H formed the subject of a question to be referred to the Department, on the motion of Mr Cork ill. This was the outcome of a discussion aie to whether sidelights or spot lights were desirable. It was held that the lighting of some English cars with two headlights and two parking lights was a bad feature. It meant that shell a car carried four Headlights. It was decided to strictly enforce the sub-section providing that no person shall, except in case of accident, use anv snot 1 relit, or cauisra or nermit it

to be used for the purposes of a headlight. . It was decided to rigidly adhere to the rule making it oh'jgatory to adjust headlights in accordance with the regulations. Mr Blvde drew attention to the fact that some vehicles, were carrying hoods over the front lights with coloured '-lasses in them, with the object of preventing the lights showing too high:. The red glow was confusing to the driver of another vehicle approaching round a corner. Mr Harding observed that it was an understood thing that a red light .penetrated a fog better. It was considered that the practice was strictly prohibited by the regulations. •BRAKE REGULATIONS ACCEPTED. The regulations concerning „ brakes were considered satisfactory. REAR REFLECTORS. An opinion was expressed that the red reflectors affixed to the* rear of motors were not essential Mr. Harding moved that no action be taken in the enforcement of the relevant clause, but, the voting being equal, the regulation stood on the easting vote of the chairman. THE RIGHT-HAND TURN. It was decided to recommend that drivers of left-hand vehicles Ik l compelled to adopt the use of mechanical signals to indicate a turn to the light, and, further, to firmly enforce the regulations governing the giving of signals, particularly the right-turn signal. BACKING FROM SIDE STREET. Mr. Blyde referred to the practice of drivers backing out from a side street" to a main thoroughfare, which meant

practically driving on the wrong side of the road. Mr. Harding said this was a common practice with taxi-drivers in Haweia, and in many cases could hardly be avoided. STATIONARY CARS. The Public Works Department is to he asked lor a ruling on sub-section (e) section 1 of regulation 14, which sets out that a vehicle shall not be left stationary “in any part of a road near any corner or bend thereof unless the vehicle is visible from all parts o: the road within 60 feet of such bend.”

MOTOR-CYCLE NUMBER PLATES. fill-. Day said a* recommendation should be made that a rule he framed compelling motor-cycles to carry a large number at each side of the front wheel, similar (though not necessarily so large) to those carried by racing motor-cycles. He moved that a recommendation be made to the Government to that effect. I Mr. Blyde seconded and the motion was carried. HEAVY TRAFFIC DISCS. It was resolved that the unladen j weights of heavy vehicles* he ascertained in every case, and that heavy traffic discs be insisted upon, these to ] ice carried in a prominent- position and kept in good order. This concluded discussion of the regulations. For the benefit of all present the chairman explained that the motor regulations in all cases override bylaws drafted by any local authority, ■lie impressed on his hearers the desirability of instituting legal proceedings for speeding under the head of “driving at a speed dangerous to the public” rather than making a specific charge of driving at a speed exceeding 35 miles an hour. The chairman moved a vote ot thanks to the Stratford Borough Council for its action in convening the meeting, and suggested that the council he requested to convene similar meetings of inspectors annually. He mentioned that in March, 1925, a traffic inspectors’ association had been formed, with

headquarters at Stratford, hut though subscriptions to the extent of I£l 15s had been collected, no meetings had since been held. It seemed that under existing, conditions such an association is unnecessary, and the question arose

as to what was to be done with the funds in Jiand. On the motion of Mr. Sayers, it was unanimously resolved that the association be disbanded and the funds (£1 15s) handed to the Stratford branch of the Plunket Society. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Stratford Borough Council for use df the chambers, to the chairman, and to Mr. Harding for their able conduct of the meeting. •Ml*. Harding undertook to forward the recommendations made to the proper authorities arid advise the inspectors present of the results of deliberations thereon.