A STEP FORWARD

Southland Times, Issue 22993, 12 September 1936, Page 19

A STEP FORWARD

NEW REGULATIONS CYCLISTS DESERVE PROTECTION While they will tighten up control so far as motor vehicles are concerned, the regulations proposed by the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple) and submitted to local bodies for comment, make a big step forward in road safety by recognizing the need for embracing the pedestrian and the cyclist as not unimportant units who should protect themselves and who deserve protection, (writes “Chassis” in The Dominion). No safe driver will cavil at the suggested requirement of a test of the mechanical effectiveness of his vehicle every six months. The really safe driver will not be bound by that rule; he will carry out an inspection and test much more often. _ The necessity for placing marker lights on loads which project beyond a given distance to the right is recognized. Such lighting would be particularly valuable on narrow roads in New Zealand. Mr Semple is the first Minister who has had the initiative—almost the courage—to tackle cycle traffic, and his suggested provision of a front light, rear light or approved red reflector, white surface on rear mudguard, a brake on the rear wheel capable of stopping on a grade of one in six, and a warning device will meet with the approval of all cyclists who care for their own safety. Registration Proposed. Cyclists, too, will have to obey the offside rule; they will not be allowed to ride more than two abreast on straight roads and must ride in single file on bends. If Mr Semple had had his way, registration would have been provided for, but this important aspect of cycle control is not shelved permanently, as local authorities are asked to do the job. And if they do not care to do that work, other action will be taken to see that it is done. This attention to the cyclist has been long delayed, and the bringing of the cyclist under national control the same as the motor vehicle riders is entirely commendable. It will wipe out the piecemeal control based on the whims of local body administrators. Pedestrians, too, will be subject to several national rules. The pedestrian must cross a street at right angles; he must use. authorized crossing-places where they are available, and in other places he must make way for vehicles. And the rule of walking on the righthand side toward oncoming traffic where there are no footpaths is a good one. Tram passengers on alighting must make for the nearest footpath. That prohibits walking round the front or rear of a tram. And people waiting for a tram must do so on a footpath or safety-zone, and not stand about on the roads.

The old idea that pedestrians had that they had first right to the roadway is being swept away in the face of modern traffic needs and steadilymounting fatality figures. The Minister deserves the support of all traffic administrators in enforcing the very sensible regulations awaiting early adoption. The proper contemplation of all units of traffic from a national viewpoint has been neglected until now, though its relevance has been abundantly obvious for many years. Uniformity is being aimed at and is within measurable distance of accomplishment. It will mean taking the power from local bodies which have regarded traffic from a parochial point of view.

Saved For Sport. It is now definite that the Brooklands motor track at Weybridge, near London, is to change hands. At first it was feared, because of the value of the land, that it would pass into the hands of speculative builders, but these fears have been ended by an authoritative announcement that Brooklands will continue to serve its two purposes of aviation and high-speed motoring, and the expenditure of much new capital will increase its historic glories. There is now a new air of expectancy in connection with Brooklands. There is a suggestion that the track wiU be modernized by linking a road circuit to the monotony of the oval track, as was done on the Continent at Monza, near Milan in Italy, and at Montlhery in France, near Paris.