TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27523, 18 October 1950, Page 9

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Amendments Suggested At Institute Conference LIGHTS ON BICYCLES PA CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 17. Members of the New Zealand Traffic Institute considered at the annual conference today that cycles should be equipped with a rear light as well as a rear reflector and white mudguard, and the institute decided to recommend to the Minister of Transport, Mr Goosman, that the traffic regulations be amended accordingly. The present regulation says a cycle may be fitted with a rear light or a red reflector and white mudguard. It was decided to recommend to Mr Goosman that regulations be framed requiring cycle lights to be deflected in such a manner that it would not interfere with the vision of an oncoming driver or rider. Christchurch and Invercargill delegates said the newer types of cycles had powerful headlights, which could be adjusted to all angles. Some cyclists, they considered, used these lights deliberately to dazzle motorists. , . Pedestrians could “ jay walk, fail to comply with the directions of a traffic officer, loiter on crossings, fail to use the footpath, etc., and yet were not bound by law to give their names and addresses, said the Hastings branch. A traffic officer had no alternative but to follow the offender, which might necessitate perhaps hours away from dU The institute decided to recommend that the traffic regulations provide that a pedestrian, upon being advised ot an alleged offence, should supply on demand by a traffic or police officer his full name and address and any other particulars as to 'his ldentincatloA remit that provision should be made for medical certificates to be furnished by persons over 70 who required “ overseas licences' was adopted It was reported that when a visitor came to New Zealand and produced his home driver’s licence the local authority over-stamped it and granted a free licence to drive for six months. The Wellington Centre said that a local body had the power to issue licences, and should also have the power to re-examine drivers if necessary" during the currency of a licence and not wait until action was taken by the Commissioner of Transport. It was stated that if a man was found to be unfit to drive because of his medical condition the matter had to be referred to the Commissioner of Transport for action. It had been found that sometimes some months elapsed before action was taken, and in the meantime the unfit driver continued to drive. ' The delegates to the conference were welcomed by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Andrews, and Mr C. D. W. L. Shepp&rd, the chairman of the Traffic Committee of the Christchurch City Council. The president, Mr E. J. Smith (Dunedin) replied. Mr Sheppard was elected president for the year.