MOTOR REGULATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20965, 3 March 1930, Page 10

MOTOR REGULATIONS.

A SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE. NECESSARY CHANGES TO BE EFFECTED. . \ (Special to Daily Times.) • WELLINGTON, March 1. THe conference called by the Minister of Transport (Mr W. A. Vcitch) to review the motor traffic regulations has concluded its sittings, and the way is now open for effecting the necessary changes. The conference was attended by representatives of the municipalities and counties of New Zealand, the Auckland Transport Board, the North and South Island Motor Unions, the motor omnibus, service, car, motor lorry and motor trade interests, the Main Highways Board, the police and transport departments. The representatives in each case were men with practical knowledge of the effect and working of the regulations. The subjects dealt with were the motor vehicle regulations dealing generally with motor traffic, and regulations relating to motor driver’s licenses and the number plate system, and the heavy traffic, regulations'relating to special speed limits and traffic rules for the heavier motor traffic. The conference considered the effect of 348 clauses in the regulations and 232 Suggestions for their amendment.

“ Taken on the whole,” the Minister remarked to-day, “ it is evident f Hun the conference that the regulations are fundamentally sound and as reasonable in their restrictions as is possible in the circumstances. During the progress of the conference it became, increasingly evident how valuable it is for the Government to obtain the views of the officers having practical administration of the law, those chiefly affected by it and also the various other interests closely concerned. It is noteworthy that at all times the proceedings were most harmonious and the whole aim of the various interests appeared to be the good of the community as a whole.” Speed limits occupied a good deal of attention by the conference and the view was generally expressed that with minor modifications the present law is working satisfactorily and the policy of the Government to restrict local speed limits unless the nature of the road surface or particular conditions justify them is» a correct one. The speed fixed for heavy traffic caused more difficulty, and while it was recognised that the roads must be protected it was considered generally that the present limits are too low for good roads and pneumatic tired vehicles, as is shown by the fact that they are honoured under these conditions more in the breach than in the observance. The problems caused by night driving received very full discussion and it was agreed that there is room for much improvement in the .present conditions. Since the regulations were issued special inventions, such as the double filament lamp and the dipping headlight have become popular, and it is possible that as a result the present regulations are likely to be modified so far as the measures preventing the dazzle of headlight* are concerned.

. “So far as drivers’ licenses are concerned the various faults of the present system, particularly the lack of uniformity in, the standard of test imposed, were thoroughly considered, and it is hoped that as a result improvements ■will take place. ■ The number plate system is, of course, now an integral part of the third party insurance scheme and therefore must ’be retained, hut modifications with a view to readier recognition of the numbers may be expected to follow from the conference. “The complete success of the conference,’ said the Minister, “is an encouragement to the Government to continue its policy of consulting all interests closely connected when any material change in the law is being contemplated. The way is now open for making an effective, revision of the motor transport regulations, and when the final draft is completed it will he referred to all the interests concerned before being brought into operation. The princrP., t°Howed_ in this revision is that which was indicated to the confeernce at the opening, namely, that of the maximum amount of liberty consistent with the safe operation., of motor transport and the preservation of the. roads.