Traffic Control

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 148, 8 June 1936, Page 7

Traffic Control

RIGID MEASURES Severe Penalties Provided In Offences TAX ON CYCLES By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 6. More rigid control of motor traffic on a Dominion-wide basis is provided for in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by Governor-General’s message. The Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, described it as the least contentious measure of the session. The BUI was read the first time. Probably the most important clause in the Bill is that empowering the Minister of Transport to disallow any traffic by-law made by a local authority, if, in his opinion, the master should be dealt with under the Motor Vehicles Act, Notice of cancellation of a by-law must be published in tho Gazette. An explanatory memorandum to the .Bill states that the clause will enable uniform provisions to be made for the whole of New Zealand in cases where there aro now many varying local bylaws.

Another clause enables regulations to be made under the principal Act for control of any form of traffic other than motor traffic. Tho regulations may deal with control of pedestrian traflic., tie lighting of vehicles and tho registration of bicycles. The maximum fee for registering a bicycle is to be 1/-, paid once only and not annually, and tha feo for registering transfers of bicycles is not to exceed 6d. There is also provision that bicycles may be required to carry prescribed identification marks and that bicycles not so marked may be prohibited from use on public highways. Existing regulations and by-laws are to be overridden by a clause providing for a maximum speed limit of 30 miles an hour in cities, boroughs ana town districts, and also in any other Joca'iry declared by the Minister of Trail ; < by notice in the Gazette to bo a clow ly-populatod area. The speed limit is w be indicated in declared areas by the erection of approved signs. The operation of lower speed limits to mem special cases is permitted, and it is also made clear that a lower speed than :,u miles an hour, where that speed is 11. t limit, shall not of itself prevent prosecution for dangerous or negligent 'lining.

Penalties for careless or inconsiderate driving are laid down in another section. It is to bo an offence to drive a motor vehicle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road-users. For these offences driving licences may bo suspended for one month for a first, offence and for three months for ,n second offence. It is also provided that a conviction within tho preceding three years for dangerous or negligent driving is to be counted as a conviction.

Under a new clause special attion is given to cases of hit-and-run motorists. When a motorist is involved in an accident and fans to stop and, when any person is iiw jured, he falls to render assistance, the maximum penalty is to be increased to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding £5OO.

The general penalty for offences under the principal Act where no other penalty is prescribed is increased from a maximum fine of £lO to one of £5O. A fine of the latter amount may already bo imposed for breaches of tho regulations under the principal Act.

Another clause authorises the Court to dismiss a prosecution for a motoring offence if, in the opinion of the Court, the defendant has been prejudiced in his defence by unreasonable delay in commencing proceedings.

In prosecutions for minor motoring offences where the maximum penalty does not exceed a £5O fine the Court may receive evidence that is not strictly legal, such as affidavits, letters or written statements sent to the Court by the defendant.

An explanatory memorandum states that tho purpose of the clause is to enable motorists who reside more than 50 miles from the Court to state their defence if they so desire without having to attend with witnesses.

The annual licence fees for motor lorries used for the carriage of passengers are to be reduced from £3 to £2. This reduction will not operate until June 1, 1937. A new definition of a trailer is included in tho Bill so as to embrace caravan trailers. The clause altering the definition is to come into force as from June 1 this year. BILL TO BE POSTPONED (By Telegraph—Special to “Tribune.") WELLINGTON, June 8. An announcement that it was not intended to pass the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill before the break in the session was made to-day by tho Minister of Transport, the Hon. H. Semple. The Minister said it was intended to take the second reading to-day and postpone the remaining stages until after the brief recess. The Minister said there were a number of points on which it was thought desirable to taae interested pa-ties into consultation. The aim of the Government was to make the Bill as strong as possible. “I want to take the people of New Zealand intq my confidence,” said Mr Semple, “and inakv the roads of the country 100 per cent. safe. I see that during tho week-end there were further hit-and-run cases reported. That makes the legislation all tho more necessary.”