TRAFFIC CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 11

TRAFFIC CONTROL

INSPECTOR DEFENDED DENIAL OF PERSECUTION RECENT COMMENT RESENTED REPLY BY OTAHUHU COUNCIL "The Automobile Association (Auckland) will meet with strong opposition from local bodies if any attempt is made by it to interfere with the duties of traffic inspectors or to curtail their activities," said the Mayor of Ota. huhu, Mr. C. R. Petrie, M.P., last night, when recent comment on the methods of supervising traffic was discussed. He held that the published criticism of traffic inspectors was a veiled reference to the inspectors on the southern end of the Great South Road.

"From my own knowledge I can say definitely • that the council's inspector is not guilty of prosecuting or unfairly trapping unwary motorists," Mr. Petrie said. The inspector was efficient in every phase of his duties and had adopted a courteous and helpful attitude to motorists who committed minor or technical breaches. In prosecuting for excessive speeding, or negligent or dangerous driving, the inspector was carrying out his instructions, and the methods adopted met with entire approval. ,

"Local bodies are just as anxious to support the Minister of Transport in his safety-first campaign as the Automobile Association," continued the Mayor. Safety on the roads would never be ' achieved by inspectors relaxing their vigilance. Just how far an inspector could educate motorists was very debatable. It was to be feared that some motorists would never learn. If motorists carefully observed • what was expected of them on the highways there would soon be no need for inspectors. Prosecutions for trivial or unimportant breaches were discouraged bv magistrates. Mr. F. W. Grey said the .council had never countenanced underhand methods and the traffic inspector had always dealt fairly with all traffic. Mr. A. Sinclair contended that the trapping .of speeding motorists was essential to road safety.

The Mayor said no resolution would be necessary.