MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 80, 24 May 1911, Page 5

MOTOR TRAFFIC.

PASSING IN SIDE CUTTINGS. On Saturday last a conference of delegates from tho I’atoa, Hawora, and Waitotara County Councils mot at Pa tea to go into the question of framing traffic regulations. Mr. Jenny represented the Wanganui Automobile Association. Among other things tho question' of motor traffic was dealt with, tho following proposal being considered;— 1. All motor-cars in tho country to bo registered and to carry their registered number and in all cases motors shall take tho outside of the road in side cuttings, but shall abide l,v the rule of the road in all Other places. Mr. Jenny said ho thought the Council were perfectly right in passing the bylaw they had. He instanced a case, however,' in the Nelson district, in which the owner of a motorear was mulcted in heavy damages in consequence of an accident that had accurred when tho driver had taken tho outside of tho road. Mr. Ritchie said ho approved of the bylaw, as lie felt sure it was a step in the right direction. It was absolutely necessary that motors should keep to the outside of tho road in hilly country, and if this was not in accordance with the law, then the law should be altered without delay. .Mr. Budge said ho had gone thoroughly into tho matter, and had made a precis of the Act which he read to the conference. The Chairman said, of course, when the bylaw had been drawn up, it haul been intended that whatever they proposed tentatively should be drawn up later in accordance with the Act. Ho claimed that it was in tho interests of the travelling public that where the road was on a side cutting, motor-cars should take tho outside of the road. With regard to side cuttings, most people would know wiiat a side cutting was without requiring a definition. He contended that if they passed the bylaw requiring cars to keep to the outside of the road in the eases mentioned, motorists would soon become aware of it. He was sure that it would eventually become law, even if it were contrary to the Police Offences Act at the present time. New Zealand was a country with a largo number of hills and side cuttings, and the Police Oil'enccs Act had been passed before, motor-cars wore known. Ho felt they should carry the resolution and put it before tho authorities so that if it were not legal, steps migst be taken to have it legalised. Mr. Ritchie said he hoped*' they would pass tho bylaw, as it was only common sense in his opinion. The sooner it became law the better. Mr. Jenny said there were two or three sides to the question. Ho instanced the case of the Little River Road Board, where a similar case to the one mentioned by the chairman had been referred to the authorities, who had insisted that motorists using the road should keep to the inside, and not outside of the cutting. It was eventually decided to adopt the proposals as they stood. Mr. Ritchie brought up tho quests m of regulating the speed of motorcars. Ho considered there ought to be some control over motors, especially in side cuttings. The cuttings should ho scheduled and notices posted up, warning motorists against driving at excessive speed. The Chairman pointed out tho difficulty was to obtain a conviction, and the motorists know it. It seemed to him that it was bettor to prohibit motors altogether on dangerous roads. No action was taken in the matter, an 1 the subject dropped.