CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.
GRANTING OF LICENSES. TESTS FOR MOTOR-DRIVERS. QUESTION OF COMPETENCY. A report on tho question of granting licenses to motorists, which advocated more control by local bodies, was made to the Mount Eden Borough Council last evening, by tho borough traffic inspector, Mr. H. Bansgrove. " In reporting on the question of granting licenses by local bodies it must be pointed out that motor traffic from its nature covers tho whole country," said Mr. Bansgrove. " The Government has recognised this, and arranged that vehicles can be registered at the post office in order to save timo and trouble. For the same purpose the local bodies have been authorised to grant licenses for heavy traffic and for drivers. It is safe to say, however, that a man who has learned to drive a motor vehicle in the rough and narrow roads of the country and can manoeuvre his way through cattle, is not likely to lose his nerve in city traffic. " The test given in the city or in suburban districts is no criterion of fitness to drive in the country. Motor teachers and salesmen are thoroughly acquainted with the tests and prepare their pupils for them.
" Again, a man may be refused a license by one authority and obtain it later from another, because in the interval he has had further coaching. Applicants have been refused in Mount Eden and licensed in the city, and vice versa, but this proves nothing against the test in either place. The traffic inspector for this borough has had many years experience in the control of London traffic and the licensing of drivers for all kinds of vehicles, while the other officer who has carried out tests is a driver of unusual experience.
" The permit granted* by the Government to continue the collection of heavy traffic license fees to December 31, 1925, led to much confusion, and will probably lead to more as lorry owners in Mount Eden will apply to the city for renewal of their licenses, which, according to regulations, should be taken out here It is not advisable to confine tho granting of licenses to one local body, but a traffic board might be constituted to supervise conditions and the local bodies could act as agents. Motor traffic covers a wide area and provision should be made to deal with it in a bnsincss-like manner, which cannot be done by bringing all the business into Auckland."
The report wa3 accepted without discussion.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19289, 30 March 1926, Page 12
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412CONTROL OF TRAFFIC. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19289, 30 March 1926, Page 12
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