SPEED LIMIT FOR CARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21878, 14 August 1934, Page 6

SPEED LIMIT FOR CARS

SUGGESTED MAXIMUM FIFTY MILES AN HOUR An opinion that in New Zealand there should be a maximum speed limit for motor-cars of 50 miles an hour on all roads, and under any conditions, was expressed in a report to the council of the South Island Motor Union last week by the president, Mr. F. W. Johnston. Mr. Johnston said he was satisfied that the greater number of accidents was caused by "half-fledged" drivers, travelling at a speed of more than 50 miles an hour. If all were tied down to a maximum of 50 miles it would be to the benefit of all concerned. He expected that in England, in the course of the coming year, there would be a fixed maximum speed limit, and that English motorists would be fortunate if the limit was not less than 50 miles an hour. The report referred particularly to a circular letter from the Commissioner of Transport, dealing with the conference of traffic inspectors held in Wellington in June. The commissioner stated, said Mr. Johnston, .that many of the proposals contained in the draft involved important changes in the existing law and procedure. Apart from the suggestion that the onus of proof should be again thrown on the prosecutor—on whom it should undoubtedly lie —most of the suggestions were sintple. Drastic alterations were required in several directions. In the majority of cases in New Zealand a statutory speed limit of 30 miles an hour in boroughs and townships, said the report, would not be unreasonable, but there should be exceptions. The suggested speed limit of 30 miles an hour for cars drawing trailers would be oppressive. Some distinction should be drawn regarding the speed limit of two-wheeled trailers of a certain maximum weight.