USE OF HIGHWAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 63, 12 February 1936, Page 11

USE OF HIGHWAYS.

MAIN AND SIDE ROADS. QUESTION OF PRIORITY. Per Press Association. NELSON, Feb. 11. The South Island Motor Union’s recommendation to associations to signpost side roads, “Caution, Main Road Ahead,” was discussed by the Nelson Automobile Association today. The president (Dr. S. A. Gibbs) said that the question arose whether a mainroad user had any rights over a sideroad user. At first it seemed apparent that there were no such rights, but in two judgments the local Magistrate had definitely stated that mainroad traffic had preference over sideroad traffic. Mr C. M. Rout said that a greater degree of care was necessary on the part of the side-road user when emerging on to the main road. However, that did not mean that the main-road man should barge ahead at a terrific speed and take no notice of what was coming from the side. Dr. Gibbs: Legally, the onus for an accident which may occur at the junction of a main and a side road is thrown on the side-road user P Mr Rout said that there was a prima facie case. Dr. Gibbs said that before erecting signs it seemed desirable to obtain legal opinion whether a main-road user had any right over a side-road user. It was resolved that a remit he sent to the South Island Motor Union recommending that legal advice he obtained on the matter.