ROAD SAFETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 27 November 1936, Page 7

ROAD SAFETY

MINISTER’S CAMPAIGN. [ RAPID PROGRESS MADE. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) ■WELLINGTON, Nov. 27. Rapid progress has been made by the Transport Department in its review of local body motor - speed bylaws, with the result that Hon. R. Semple (Minister of Transport) was able to announce to the “Standard’s” correspondent that he anticipates that before Christmas motorists will be able to travel from end to end of the Dominion observing one uniform set of regulations. The Wellington and Auckland areas are already subject to the new system, and it is probable that Dunedin and Christchurch will be the subject of Gazette notifications next week. They will operate immediately on publication.

“We are going ahead with all the boroughs and counties, and are leaving nobody out,” remarked the Minister. “I am surprised at any objection,' because not only have we proved that the speed limits have reduced fatalities on the road by a tremendous percentage in New Zealand, but we have records from England showing that since the -30 mile an hour restriction was introduced in the. cities and rural areas it has been very successful. If this happens where there are millions it will be successful :u New Zealand with its thousands of lieople. It is useless and futile to lave all sorts of speed regulations in the country. We are going to have one national set, with no discrimination between city and rural areas.

“When I took office we had lost control through ‘rnfferty rules,’ but we are rapidly . getting order from chaos, with the Transport Commission and Safety Council giving valuable help. However, it is useless having regulations without enforcement. While we are not interfering with the cities ill their traffic regulation we must police all the roads, and we will do it effectively before we fmisn. Another twelve inspectors are being immediately appointed ; that’s only a beginning,” Mr Semple added.