Control of Motors

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 858, 30 December 1929, Page 8

Control of Motors

PROJECTED REVISION OF LAW OPPORTUNITY for reeasting motor transport regulations is being afforded by tlie Ministry of Transport, and local authorities are being circulated with the object of bringing forth suggestions which will tend to improve motoring conditions throughout the Dominion. Providing full advantage is taken of this opportunity, certain benefits to the controlling body and to the motorist must result.

The Ministry has invited local authorities to make suggestions for amendments to the regulations at present in force and for curtailments and additions that may be considered necessary and which have been found desirable by practical experience. Other questions are the administration of various Acts dealing with motor traffic and taxation, and the institution of a uniform system of speed limits throughout New Zealand. The action of the department in making this invitation is praiseworthy. During the past 30 years the motor has developed from a wondrous monstrosity to a commonplace, from a questionable luxury to a necessity, and from a position of uncertainty to that of absolute confidence. Its development has been remarkable and its position in the business and public life of the community has become practically unassailable. In New Zealand the improvement of the motor has been as apparent as in any other country. Further, the Dominion is only second in the world in the ratio of motor-cars to population. In addition there is the vast number of commercial vehicles which to a large extent have replaced, and are replacing, older forms of transport. PROBLEMS INCREASE With the great increase in motoring, problems have multiplied, and as difficulties increase so must the work of conducting traffic progress. The regulations which were first gazetted are of no use today. Today’s regulations will be of no use tomorrow. Regulations must keep abreast of the increasing use of the motor vehicle. As traffic, and consequently problems, Increase, so must they be met, if universal public satisfaction Is to be obtained. At one time or another each local authority must have discovered some weakness in the regulations and this invitation gives them the opportunity of offering constructive criticisms and making useful suggestions for improvement. It may be found that many suggestions will not be practicable and that many controlling

bodies have mistaken views on the subject of traffic control. Since the last regulations were gazetted faults have been found which are in need of revision. Alteration is needed. The question of additions will not be looked upon with favour by motorists in general, but some will probably be necessary. However, this part of revision will not have to be developed too fully, or there will be an outburst from the motorist, who considers himself to be greatly overburdened with regulations at the present time. Curtailments will be received much more favourably. Those who maintain that the regulations are too restricted will be enthusiastic. The local authorities will have to face the question of whether there are any regulations which can be safely erased. If they have the same views as the majority of motorists the regulations will probably be more compact when next they are gazetted. UNIVERSAL INTERESTS It. is unquestionable that in the revision of the motor regulations there will be a great diversity of opinion upon certain points. What suits the country local authority might not be favoured within the city limits; and what is found to work smoothly in the busy thoroughfares of Auckland might appear almost ridiculous upon the back roads of the Waikato. Local bodies, of course, will consider the motorist as well as themselves. Motor organisations will, in fact, contribute a large voice in the ultimate alteration of the regulations. The question is one that affects everyone. Controlling authorities, whether in the heart of the country or in the busy city, are affected by traffic problems. Pedestrians and cyclists, too, are vitally concerned in the motoring laws. Common sense as well as experience, then, should form the foundation of any suggestions which in the next few weeks will be forwarded to the Government as suggestions for altered motoring regulations. G.H.M.