“LIKE DEMENTED MACARONI”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 September 1928, Page 9

“LIKE DEMENTED MACARONI”

STANDARD ROAD SIGN'S. STRATFORD MOTORIST’S PROTEST “They are something like demented macaroni—fish hooks, pot hooks and all sorts of hooks,” said Mr W. G. Walkley, of Hawera (secretary of the South Taranaki Automobile Association) when, at the annual meeting of the Stratford branch last evening, he referred to the standard road signs recently introduced by the Main Highways Board. When other regulations had been introduced the motorists’ associations had been consulted, .proceeded Mr Walkley. Had the motorists been consulted in this matter it was practically certain that such a weird set of symbols would never have been sanctioned. The board apparently had forgotten that signs had already been posted by the association in many parts of the country. These, said Mr Walkley, could be easily read and understood, but the new signs would be a series of puzzles to the average driver. If standard sighs were set it was essential they should be simplified. He considered there should be no’ alteration to regulations without reference to the associations representing the motorists.

‘ ‘ QUEER mEROG'LYPinOS ’ ’

“There seems about 50 of these queer hieroglyphics and I’ll swear they would be quite unintelligible to the average driver unless he wa s given a special education,” said Mr S. A. Ward, the chairman of the Stratford committee. “When a driver comes to a bend he 11 have to pull out a notebook to see what the signs mean. They are absurd and w r e should protest against them. “Altogether hopeless,” was the description used by the Rev. J. L. A. K'avll. He urged that motorists should have the benefit of simple signs instead of difficult symbols. Mr D. J. Malone (president of the branch) said it was highly desirable that signs should be short and expressed in plain terms: “No doubt the new sio-ns mean something,” said the president, “but the education of drivers concerning their significance is going to be difficult and may lead to a great deal o'f confusion. The Automobile Associations have already done a great deal and the new syllabus seems to be superfluous.” The Rev. Kayll moved: — “That this meeting emphatically protests against the road signs provided by Government regulations and considers that any sign other than an explicit direction or wanrin,g provides a definite source of danger to motor

traffic. * * In seconding the motion Mr Ward also criticised strongly, the new requirement, of the Public Works Department .that road signs should not bo more than 3ft Gin high. This, Mr Ward described as “another absurd provision.” He also attacked the provision that,. signs should be placed on the left in all cases as while the principle was. good it was not always applicable. The motion whs carried unanimously. REAR REFLECTORS. Mr G. A. .Carter moved: — “That this branch of the Soiitli Taranaki Automobile .Association supports the objection of the North Island ,Motor Union to the regulation .making it compulsory to have red rear reflectors on motors, particularly as the onus is placed on motorists to keep a rear light burning; also that red reflectors on push bicycles are not. considered effective and that the regualtions should provide far the equipment of. push bicycles with red lights in lieu of reflectors. ’ ’ The motion was seconded by Mr J. C. Allen arid was carried unanimously. Referring to both resolutions, the president pointed out they were not intended to convey dissatisfaction with trie motor regulations as a whole, it, being recognised that those adopted after consultation with the motorists’ association w r cre in the best interests of road users.