SPEED IN OTAHUHU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20986, 24 September 1931, Page 14

SPEED IN OTAHUHU.

BREACHES OF REGULATIONS. CAREFUL DRIVING NEEDED. Recent prosecutions in respect of bleaches of traffic regulations in the Otahuhu district, and tho methods adopted by tho traffic inspectors in checking tho speed of cars, havo given rise to considerable comment in the district. A number of critics, particularly motorists, havo held that the regulations have been stringently enforced and to a degree that is unwarranted. Certain figures and information made available after inquiry would seem to indicate that there is need of strict observance of tho regulations in Otahuhu aud tho surrounding districts. The number of fatalities and accidents which havo occurred in the neighbourhood of Otahuhu during the last two years from vehicular traffic is particularly striking. In tho two years ended August 31, there were nine motoring fatalities in the district. Five of the victims, two young lads and threo men, were pedestrians knocked down by passing motor vehicles, and the remaining four were cither drivers of vehicles or passengers. In two of the latter cases tho cars crashed into power poles along tho roadway, two men and one woman being killed as a result. The fatal accidents have occurred at various parts of tho highway between Mahia Bridgo at Manurewa and the Penrose straight just north of Westfield overhead bridge. Numerous Accidents. The administration of the traffic regulations is not a matter which directly concerns the police authorities, as the local bodies and the Main Highways Board eacti havo their own traffic inspectors. Technical offences, such as exceeding the speed limit, aro dealt with bv tho inspectors, and proceedings are only brought by tho police in cases arising out of accidents and collisions. In the two years ended last August, 85 prosecutions were brought by tho police at tho Otahuhu Polico Court. Of the total, 17 involved charges of intoxication while in charge of motor-vehicles, 36 were in respect of driving at a speed which might have been dangerous to the public, 18 were on account of negligent driving, and 14 for having failed to give way to traffic approaching on tho right. While accurate records showing circumstances, the nature of the accidents and the injuries to persons aro not available, it is stated that in 90 per cent, of these cases tho charges wore brought following upon accidents causing injuries. In a number of the cases the injuries were serious and the persons involved were in hospital for many months. In 1928, tho total number of police prosecutions at Otahuhu in respect of traffic offences was 258, but this included a largo number of minor cases not involving accidents and collisions. It has to bo rioted also that in tho cases handled by the polico authorities the traffic inspectors aro not concerned. Volume ol Traffic. Lying as it does on tho main road to the south from Auckland, and being the most direct route out of tho isthmus, there is a large volume of traffic passing through Otahuhu. A census of vehicular traffic was taken on a recent Monday, recognised to bo one of the quietest days of tho week. Between tho hours of 11 a.m. and noon, 313 vehicles were checked, while 315 vehicles passed a given point bijiween 3 and 4 p.m., and between 4 and 5 p.m. 347 vehicles were noted. I The necessity for controlling traffic in I Otahuhu has long been recognised by tho Otahuhu Borough Council, and about 1 twelve months ago a by-law was passed prohibiting vehicles from overtaking within 30l't. of an intersection. There are some 14 intersections in the stretch of road where overtaking is prohibited, a distance of little over half a mile. In the speed trap operated by the traffic inspectors in the borough, a distance of 440 yards, there are six intersections. The traffic regulations permit of a speed of 25 miles an hour through the borough, but motorists aro usually given the generous margin of an additional 10 miles an hour, and no prosecutions have yet been taken in respect of a speed of less than 35 miles an hour. THE LAND SPEED RECORD. Mr. H. J. Butcher, chairman of tho competitions committee of the A.A.A., and chairman of the Auckland Automobile Racing Club, Limited, left for Sydney last Friday to confer with Mr. Norman "Wizard" Smith with regard to the forthcoming attempt on the world's land speed reoord on tho Ninety Milo Beach. On his return to Auckland, Mr. Butcher will probably bo in a position to indicato exactly when "Wizard" Smith will bo visiting New Zealand, and will then no doubt commence the preliminary organisation which will bo necessary to control the test. TRIALS OF COAOH-DRIVERS. Coach drivers frequently have to contend with passengers who insist upon being accompanied by extraordinary objects of luggage. It is on record in England that one man travelled from London to Manchester with a full-sized harp, another brought several large pictures in gilt frames, and yet a third insisted on taking a radio-gramophone, 3ft. 6in. long by 3ft. high. An actor wished to make the journey with a roll of scenery measuring 28ft.: the coach in which he proposed to travel was some 6in. shorter. | NOTES. I "Stop me, constable, if you've heard this one before!" said the old offender with (lie inefficient silencer. Mr. Garridgc: You've ruined tho engine by using the wrong oil. The Fair Customer: What a pity. But it won't be noticed if I keep the bonnet ! down! Hundreds of motorists on a main road in England were held up recently by molted fat which ran over the road when a ten-wheeled lorry carrying 60 sides of beef caught fire.