MOTOR SPEED LIMITS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 3, 3 December 1931, Page 10

MOTOR SPEED LIMITS.

COUNTY COUNCIL’S ATTITUDE. Following remarks by Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., when prosecutions for speeding on Marshland Road, a short distance out of Christchurch, were before him in. • Christchurch recently, that he did not consider 40 miles an hour an excessive speed along parts of that particular road, the county inspector, Mr R. McGee, made a recommendation to the Waimairi County Council last week. The inspector said:—“l would recommend that the Government speed restrictions, as defined in the motor vehicle regulations, 1928, be adopted as a whole, and, further, 1 would suggest that unless a motorist is actually driving in a manner or at a speed that is to the danger of the public,, no action he taken. I feel that to take action against a motorist who commits a technical breach of a by-law or regulation by exceeding a speed limit is a wrong interpretation of the regulations, and an ineffective practice making road travelling tedious in the extreme.”

Mr McGee said that there were quite a number of places on the road in question where 40 miles an hour would be quite safe. Unless a person was driving to the danger of the public, he or she should not be prosecuted for any technical breath of the by-laws. In view of the magistrate’s remarks, it would be foolish to bring forward any Mr W. G. Chapman said that some might think the present restriction of 30 miles an hour unreasonable; but if they altered it, and there were any accidents, would the council be held responsible ? “I think it wrong,” said Mr J. Cleland, “that a magistrate whose duty it is to uphold the country’s bylaws should make such a statement.”

Mr Spencer agreed with the inspector that the Marshland Road was a wide, clear road, and there was no danger at 40 miles per hour. Mr Scott: We aro putting down good roads and in places it is cruel to be travelling along at 30 miles per hour. Mr Gardiner also supported the higher speed limit. He said most of the danger arose from the failure of persons coming up from behind to sound the horns. The inspector’s recommendation was adopted.