In the Interests of Motorists

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 62, 15 March 1938, Page 2

In the Interests of Motorists

MEETING OF MANAWATU A.A. EXECUTIVE Mr. W. H. Brown (president) was in the chair at a meeting of the executive of the Automobile Association (Manawatu) last evening. In connection with better lighting of the main road junction in the centre of Sanson township, it was decided to get in touch with tho Highways Board if the Manawatu County Council was unable to do anything. Four letters in appreciation of services rendered by tho association and its service officer were received. The views of the executive on a scheme to register motor mechanics is to bo placed before the North Island Motor Union meeting this month. New Transport Bill. The meeting was advised of some of the new provisions in the Transport Bill, 1938. These were as follow: — Clause 2 (1): By definition of “traffic inspector” only those inspectors appointed in accordance with regulations are empowered to enforce traffic laws. Clause 20: Provision is made that the registrar of motor vehicles is to be notified of change of address of motorists. Clauses 26, 28: Motor-drivers’ licenses are to be issued by the post office, and the fees therefrom to be divided between boroughs over 6000 and the Government, in each case for traffic control purposes. As well as ensuring that the fees will be devoted to traffic control purposes, a central record will enable a better check to be kept against irregular issue of licenses, and present abuses of the testing system will be eliminated. Clause 27 (1): The restriction on the Court’s powers is lifted whereby the driving license could, not be interfered with for first or second offences of exceeding speed limits (as the limits have now been narrowed to safety requirements). Clause 27 (5): Penalty for obtaining a license while disqualified is increased by providing for a maximum of three months’ imprisonment. Clause 30, pars, (d) and (f): Regulation powers relating to drivers’ licenses are widened and provision is made for a review of the right to continue to hold a license if public safety is deemed to require it. Clause 30, pars, (g) and (i): Regulation powers for registration of bicycles and notification of transfer in their ownership is provided. Clause 32: Provision is made for fixing of emergency speed limits by the Minister at road works, etc. Clause 38: Again the restriction on the Court’s powers is lifted whereby the driving license could not be interfered with for first or second offences of driving without care or consideration. Clause 41: Traffic inspectors (as well as the police) are empowered to arrest drunken drivers. Clause 42: The Minister is enabled to establish traffic control districts wherein one city or borough council will be responsible for control of traffic throughout the district. The share of the council in the drivers’ license fees will be proportionately increased. Provision is made in Clause (2) for an advisory committee to the council. General: The various regulation powers are sufficiently broad to supplement the foregoing safety measures considerably without fresh legislation being necessary.