SPEEDING MOTOR LORRIES

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1751, 27 July 1936, Page 6

SPEEDING MOTOR LORRIES

, - ' . . v Hr. SHOULD BE RESTRICTED

Compulsory Governors Suggested •

Support was given by the Matamata County Council to a' request

for co-operation in a movement to

Tiave the Motor Vehicles Regula-

tions amended to make it compulsory for all heavy motor vehicles used in the transportation of goods to be flitted with sealed governors, v*-'

In a circular letter the Wa'ipa County Council explained such a deyice would automatically restrict the Speed to the requirements of the ■regulations. It was recognised, that -«ven in districts where traffic coU-i trol systems were operating, heavy motor vehicles travelled at excessive speeds, increasing road maintenance costs.

The engineer- said the difficulty was to devise a practical governor. Such devices in use at present governed the power —that was the engine speed—and not the speed of the vehicle, and thus placed the latter at a disadvantage, on steep grades or whenever a high power output was needed. A check was needed, however, for roads were rapidly deteriorating. Speeds were doubling and damage increased in proportion to the square of the speed.

Cr. P. R. Hwke suggested a sealed speedometer might be used to register the highest speed shown. This could be examined at any time by the inspector.

The engineer 'thought this would be impracticable, as it could easily be disconnected.

Cr. E. D. White said a Restriction on the power might create a new danger in cases of emergency.

Cr. G. A. Pearce pointed out that slow driving meant higher costs to the operator, who was now faced by increased .wages costs gnd shorter hours, while fast driving‘meant higher costs to the council. It might possibly be better to improve the roads.

After some further discussion the council decided*, on the motion of Cr. support the principle of the suggestion in the request.