RECKLESS SPEED

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 75, 25 February 1927, Page 2

RECKLESS SPEED

COMPLAINT TO HIGHWAYS BOARD. WHAT BITUMEN SPRAY CAN DO. Complaints concerning the Bpeed at which motor vehicles—especially service cars—travel over main highways, have been made to the Main Highways Board. That was stated in a letter from the body named dealt with at the meeting of No. 9 District Council of the Main Highways Board at Palmerston North this afternoon. Particular reference was made to the reckless manner in which motors were driven past workmen engaged on reading operations. Attention was drawn in the letter to the wide powers given local bodies under section 28 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and it was suggested that local authorities use that power to tho fullest extent. “I take it that that means that the onus of regulating speed is on the counties,” remarked Mr Arbon. The chairman (Mr R. H. Ronayne): It is on the counties to act. Mr Arbon asked if there was a fixed regulation' governing the maximum speed on roads. One county might allow 35 and another 50 miles an hour, he added. Apparently “reasonable speed” was the only guide. Mr A. K. Drew, declaring that some service, cars were' travelling at 50 or 60 miles an hour—their schedule compelled 35 miles an hour in some cases -—stated it was difficult to secure convictions except by careful checks, and even then, if the car companies could prove that their speed was not “dangerous” it was difficult to exact a penalty. There was an urgefft need, he said, for tho fixing of definite maximum speeds on a universal basis for country roads. In the course of further discussion it was stated that the Internal Affairs Department was engaged on the framing of a set of universal by-laws. The chairman alluded to the menace created to workmen by speeding cars. Mr J. R. Menzies thought that there was power to act under the existing regulations. Often, he stated naively, workmen, when startled by a passing car, swung round with the nozzle of a bitumen spray, with the result that the passing motor received some of the material.

A member: That often happens. Mr Menzies agreed, stating with a smile that, while all cars were not “caught,” the lesson not to speed past workmen was being leagued gradually. The matter was talked out without action being taken.