NOT WANTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 11 September 1945, Page 4

NOT WANTED

COPIES OF ROAD CODE “MORE DANGEROUS THAN USEFUL” AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION’S OPINION The opinion that the road code Issued by the Commissionci of Transport was more/ dangerous than useful to motorists was expressed by the chairman of the Automobile Association (Nelson), Mr C. M. Rout, at the monthly meeting held last evening. He stated that the road code was an unofficial publication with no legal standing. It was only an interpretation of the regulations and motorists could not rely upon all its ruling being upheld at law. He quoted an instance of a motorist in Wellington who had been involved in a collision with another vehicle which was turning out from a side road. The motorist, in claiming that he had the right of way, had quoted the road code’s interpretation of the right-hand rule which stated that all cars changing direction give way. The case had subsequently been taken to the Supreme Court and the road code’s ruling had not been upheld by the court.

The Commissioner of Transport informed the association that new supplies of the road code were at present being printed and asked whether the association wished to order any copies. It was resolved to inform the Commissioner that the association did not wish to purchase any copies of the road code, its opinion being that as the code was an unofficial publication with no legal standing the association was inclined to think it was more dangerous than useful to motorists.