CONTROL OF TRAFFIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19373, 10 July 1937, Page 5

CONTROL OF TRAFFIC

CALIFORNIAN SYSTEM FAST PACE IN CITIES (Special to the Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. Tributes to the excellence of the traffic control in the United States were paid by Mr. W. A. O'Callaghan, of Hawera, the president of the North Island Motor Union, who returned by the Mariposa after a visit to America. “I was very much impressed with the control of traffic, particularly in California, where there are 3,000,000 motor cars,” Mr. O’Callaghan said. “The highways are divided into lanea marked by white lines, and fast traffic takes those nearer the centre of the road. In the cities traffic control is by means of lights, with automatic arm signals at all congested areas. Sometimes there is a traffic officer on duty as well.” ? Swift acceleration and good brakes were essential on motor cars used in heavy traffic in the United States, Mr. O'Callaghan added. It was the usual thing to drive at up to 40 or 45 miles art hour along a congested street, and pedestrians as well as motorists had to obey the lights. The standard of driving skill and also the courtesy of the average motorist were particularly noteworthy. , “Accidents are frequent, but the number is low compared with the enormous amount of traffic," he added. "The authorities are very severe on the intoxicated motorist, who may be imprisoned or fined, or have his license cancelled for a period. “Petrol costs could be almost disregarded by the American motorist, as the most popular fuel cost only 18 cents a gallon, including four cents as tax. In spite of this extremely low price, motorists were endeavouring to have the tax reduced.