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Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1927, Page 2

Thu Government appears to he taking a wide step in the attempt to direct supreme motor control. To that end the draft has been published of a national system of motor regulations.Hitherto local bodies have been left to devise local methods of control, but the general provisions promises to be a praiseworthy attempt'to solve a number of difficult problem* created by the local bodies themselves, in tluiL diflcrcnL towns or localities have dillering regulations as to speed signals, lighting, parking etc., and the sum total i:s general confusion for the touring motorist passing from one district to another. Motors arc now used alike for pleasure and business in traversing long distances and passing through many local hotly boundaries, and the necessity for uniformity in the regulations governing the traffic lias grown more and more urgent. The draft regulations deal with speed, lights, signals. rules of the road,, pillion riding and brake equipment. The ground covered appears to be very imputant as a means to avoid |Hissib,le accident. Speed and brake equipment are factors eovorning a < <iii<lit ion of affairs in connection with which serious accidents have occurred. Signals and rules of the road are also of paramount importance. meeting anil passing other traffic. A limit to driving, in I oroughs is sol down at 25 miles per hour. This seems over generous as regards mist towns. Vet. of course, it can he understood that in certain cases that speed would bo quite safe. On the other hand, it is manifest there are known instances in local experience wore such n rate of speed is altogether excessive. Our view is that this limit is not satisfactory, applied generally, for the sire of the town and the nature of its thoroughfares must he taken into account. The number of accidents (as also very narrow escapes) show the need for a general code of regulations which should bo uniform as far as possible, always keeping in mind tbo supreme need for safety first. Motorists would do well to meet and c infer with regard to the proposed regulations, while tbo local bodies as representing the general body of public opinion, should also look closely into the matter with the object of seeing that tbo public interests generally are taken into account and all necessary safeguards provided for.