MOTOR TRAFFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22448, 18 June 1936, Page 14

MOTOR TRAFFIC

NEW REGULATIONS PROPOSAL TO LIMIT SPEED VIEWS OF ASSOCIATION The Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill was discussed at length from tho point of view of the 'motorist at a special meeting of the council of the Automobile Association (Auckland) last night. A number of remits to the North Island Motor Union were carried. The union is making all representations to the Government on behalf of the affiliated bodies. It was explained by the president, Mr. A. Grayson, that, with the exception of two clauses, the bill consisted of crystallised remits sent to the Commissioner of Transport in the last few years by the North and South Island Motor Unions. The two clauses which were regarded as contentious were those providing for the .'3O miles an hour limit in built-up areas and the very vague clause about inconsiderate driving. " I think we are going to have this limit and I cannot say that I am against it," remarked Mr. H. J. Butcher. " I have made a fairly close study of the position, especially in England, and the IJmit has had, in my opinion, good effects." Mr. Butcher suggested that instead of a universal 30 miles an hour limit in built-up areas, limits should bo imposed only in areas where the local body concerned made application to tho Minister for the limit. Tho nearest automobile association should bo informed of the application and should be able to make representations to the Minister on tho matter when that was thought desirable. Experience in England Deaths from road accidents diminished appreciabty after the limit was imposed in England, Mr. Butcher continued. However, actual accidents did not decrease much, which meant that the cars were still hitting things and people, but not as hard as before. In tho period he had in mind there had been an increase in the number of vehicles on the road in England. The president drew attention to the fact that if tho bill became law, there would be a 30 miles an hour limit in semi-rural city roads, in such places as Tamaki, where there was no traffic. Mr. J. Seabrook urged that it be suggested that the limit be confined to actual built-up areas. English press clippings containing evidence of a great deal of resentment and dwatisfaction with the 30 miles an hour limit in England tvere read by the secretary, Mr. G. W. Hutchison. Official Figures Quoted

Official figures from the New Zealand Transport Department returns for 1935 also were quoted by Mr. Hutchison. They showed that out of 243 fatal motor accidents, only 46 were caused through speeds held by the Courts to be excessive in the circumstances. In 20 of these cases the speed had exceeded 35 mi'les an hour, in 21 it had been between 20 and 35 miles an hour, while in live cases the speed had not been over 20 miles an hour. Members expressed dissatisfaction with the vagueness of the proposed law against inconsiderate driving. The making of fiorne specific rules for dealing with such cases was advocated in a remit to the union. It was decided to urge that the present rule in regard to driving to the common danger bo adhered to in preference to the imposition of any new speed limit. The secretary was instructed also to embody in a memorandum to be submitted to the union the other points discussed.