Controversy Over L Plates

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23181, 29 October 1938, Page 14 (Supplement)

Controversy Over L Plates

MUCH controversy has arisen in recent weeks right through New Zealand since the Commissioner of Transport circularised local bodies and motoring authorities regarding a proposal to introduce a twofold system of issuing drivers' licences, safeguarding learners with special distinguishing L plates. Opposition to the scheme has been voiced in numerous quarters, and by a variety of organisation's. What, will happen to the proposal should prove interesting. It is suggested by the ( onimissioner that a new driver should submit himsiMf to the customary test and lie granted, if successful, a learner's licence, which will bo valid for three months, during

which L plates wjll be exhibited. At the end of the term, the learner will be required to pass another test, this time for his permanent licence. Motorists condemn the proposal on the grounds of taxation, ft is generally supposed that two licence fees will be involved, instead of the present one. Further, it is expected that an appropriate fee will aiso be charged for the b plates. The attitude of motorists, already heavily burdened with numerous taxes, is therefore easily understood. It is also suspected in some quarters that the real motive behind the proposal is a safety measure. Such an object, it is suggested, might more effectively be attained by tightening up the "present driving'test. It might ensure that no person will drive a car unless he is fully qualified and competent to do so. But it has been said that to let loose on the road a number of partiallyinstructed drivers would not comply with the ideals of common-sense safety measures. It might be inferred where Jj plates are displayed that the obligation will lie with the qualified driver to give way to the learner, and the re-

PRINCIPLES OF PROPOSAL CRITICISED

suit might bo further traffic difficulties. "It is true," said one Auckland motor official, "the b plate system operates in Kngland, but, the traffic conditions there are so vastly different from those found in New Zealand. As a safety measure oil New Zealand roads, the L plate system therefore docs not commend itself to motorists." The objection goes a step further with the local bodies. A fairly rich harvest is reaped by them annually from motor drivers' licence fees, and the new proposals in connection with nationalisation of traffic control threatens to deprive them o! this income. The opinion is thus expressed that the b plate system might primarily have been mooted to provide an extra source of revenue for controlling authorities, which, however, could not expect to recover in this way anything like the amount accruing from driving fees.