MORE RIGID CONTROL OF MOTOR TRAFFIC

Northern Advocate, 8 June 1936, Page 6

MORE RIGID CONTROL OF MOTOR TRAFFIC

[Per Press Association. — Copyright. J WELLINGTON, This Day. rigid control of motor traffic on a Dominion-wide basis is provided for in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives on Saturday by Governor-General’s message. The Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, described it as the f least contentious measure of the session. The Bill was read a first time. Probably the most important clause in the Bill is that empowering the L Minister of Transport to disallow any traffic by-law, . made by a local authority, if, in his opinion, the matter should be dealt with under the L Motor Vehicles Act. Notice of cancellation of a by-law must be published in the Gazette. An explanatory memorandum to the Bill states that the claflse will enable uniform provisions to be made for the whole of New Zealand in cases where L there are now many varying local •i by-laws.

driving. The penalties for careless or inconsiderate driving are laid down in another section. It is to be an offence to drive a motor vehicle without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users. For these offences, driving licenses may be suspended for one month for the first offence, and for three months for a second offence. It is also provided that conviction within the preceding three years for dangerous or negligent driving is to be counted as a conviction under the new clause. “Hit and Run” Motorists. Special attention is given to the cases of “hit and run” motorists, when a motorist is involved in an accident and fails to stop, and when, if any person is injured,, he fails to render assistance. The maximum penalty is to be increased to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine of £SOO.

Any Form of Traffic. Another clause enables regulations to be made under the principal Act

f for the control of any form of traffic T. other than motor traffic. The regulation may deal with the control of pedestrian traffic, the lighting of vehicles, and the registration of bicycles. The maximum fee for registering a bicycle is to be 1/-, paid once only

The general penalty for offences under the principal Act, where no other penalty is prescribed, is increased from a maximum fine of £lO to one of £SO. A fine of the latter amount may already be imposed for breaches of regulations under the principal Act, Powers of Court. Another clause authorises the Court to dismiss a prosecution for a minor motoring -offence, if. in the opinion of the Court, defendant has been prejudiced in his defence by unreasonable delay in commencing proceedings. In prosecution for minor motoring offences, the maximum penalty does not exceed a £SO fine. The Court may receive evidence that is not strictly legal, such as affidavits, letters or written statements, sent to Court by defendant. An explanatory memorandum states that the purpose of the clause is to enable motorists who reside more than 50 miles from the Court, to state their defence if they so desire without having to attend with witnesses. The annual license fees for motor lorries used for the carriage of passengers are to be reduced from £3 to £2. This reduction will not operate until June 1, 1937. A new definition of a trailer is included in the Bill, so as to embrace caravan trailers. The clause altering definition is to come into force as from June 1 this year.

DUTLME OF PROVISIONS OF AMENDMENT SILL

and not annually, and the fee for registering the transfers of bicycles is not to exceed 6d. There is also a provision that bicycles may be required to carry prescribed identification marks, and that bicycles not so marked may be prohibited from usq on the public highways. The existing regulations and by-laws are to be over-ridden by a clause providing for a maximum speed limit of 30 miles an hour in cities, boroughs and town districts, and also in any other locality declared by the Minister of Transport, by notice in the “Gazette,” to be a closely-nopulated area. The speed limit is to De indicated in declared areas by the erection of an approved sign. Careless Driving Penalties. The operation of lower speed limits to meet special cases is permitted, and it is also made clear that lower speed than 30 miles an hour, where that speed is the limit, shall not of itself prevent prosecution for dangerous or negligent