TRAFFIC FILTER

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4043, 4 May 1938, Page 7

TRAFFIC FILTER

POST OFFICE INTERSECTION. OBSERVANCE OF TRAFFIC RULES ESSENTIAL. Yesterday, under direction of the Main Highways Board, work was begun at the intersection of the three streets near Te Awamutu Post Office. A portion of the high camber was taken off, but unfortunately the bad weather delayed the work, and by nightfall the re-grading was very incomplete- A temporary barricade was erected in the form of a circle. Until the work is completed it is inevitable that a good deal of inconvenience must arise. Not until the old kerb-line in Sloane Street is removed and the surface in all directions restored to a proper gradient will traffic move with normal freedom. 11 KEEP TO THE LEFT.” The immediate effect of the barricade yesterday was to create some confusion, and it was remarkable how many drivers of all types of vehicles failed to follow the toundation rule of the traffic code to “keep to the left.” The effect of theii “ cutting in ” on the wrong side was to endanger on-coming traffic. However, a not altogether unwelcome feature of the barricade was its check on speed—a condition certainly to be desired at all busy intersections. Motorists approaching this .point in the highways should exercise .particular care until the re-surfacing has been completed. The barricade has the form of a circle in the centre of the streets. On approaching it there is a. simple rule to follow: “Keep to the left,” with the circle thus at all times on the right-hand side of the driver. If this is done the vehicle can move in any direction without possibility of meeting opposing traffic. Only when a driver bears to the right—thereby placing the circle on his left-hand side—is there the danger of any mishap occurring. BACKING-OUT OF VEHICLES. Another traffic rule frequently overlooked in Te Awamutu is the backingout of vehicles which have been parked at the kerb-side. Many drivers attempt to make an about-turn from the parked position so as to proceed in an opposite or return direction. The regulations define this as a definite offence—not only in Te Awamutu but throughout New Zealand. The parked vehicle is to be backed only far enough to allow the driver to pull out from the kerb, and he must then proceed along the left-hand side of the road to the nearest street intersection, where,, after giving a direction signal of his intention so to do, he shall turn on the intersection so as to take up the direction in which he intends to travel on the lefthand side of the roadway, it should be noted ,too, that when a driver on approaching an intersection gives indication of his intention to turn, it is an offence for any overtaking vehicle to attempt to pass. THE TRAFFIC RULES. All motorists should acquaint themselves with the traffic rules (the Minister of Transport having supplied booklets at the last licensing period). There is a steady tightening up of the powers of enforcement, and ignorance of the requirements is no Jenifer a defence in the courts. It was stated yesterday that the Traffic filter in front of Te Awamutu Post Office is largely experimental. It is certainly being tested at this particular intersection, but similar filters are already well established in other places where there is a much greater traffic density than obtains eie.