THE KING’S HIGHWAY

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1930, Page 11

THE KING’S HIGHWAY

■ -CANADIAN ROAD SYSTEMS. SEW TRANSPORT REGULATIONS; ' Toronto, Canada. , Metal einge with th© lettering “The' King’s Highway” ar© being erected by the Ontario Department of Highways at intervals on all important roads throughout the province, under authority of an Act passed by the legislature in its recent session. The lettering is black, on a white background. The signs are about two and one-half feet high, are topped by a crown, and bear as well the number of the highway thus marked. Until this time the roads on which Ontario has spent millions of dollars have, gone’under the general designation of provincial highways. The change has 'been greeted with cordial approval everywhere in the province as a simple gesture which perpetuates in this country a phrase of historic and legendary significance and as a dignified and appropriate means of bringing: before the millions of American tourists who •cross .the border into ■ Canada every season by automobiles the fact that they are travelling in a British country. ■ Following recommendations made by Mr, Justice- Frank E. Hodgins, who sat as a Royal .Commission to Investigate the whole question of compulsory automobile insurance, more stringent regulations have been mado for the protection of th© public on the highways. The Commissioner did not recommend compulsory insurance for all drivers, as is the practice in several American States, but he proposed a compromise by which insurance is compulsory after a driver him been proved guilty of a traffic ©Hence involving recklessness or neglect. Upon conviction for reckless . driving, racing, driving while drunk, speeding, deserting the scene of an accident or any other offence against public safety the driver’s individual license and the owner’s license are suspended, and they remain suspended until proof has been given of financial responsibility, This means that after an accident for

which he is held to blame, or after conviction for a serious infraction of traffic < rules, the driver locos his.driving privileges until he has met fully whatever famages and costs arc assessed against irn and has satisfied the Highways Department for the future by production of an insurance policy, a bond, or the deposit with the provincial treasurer of cash, to the amount of 10,000 dollars. .As an additional precaution it has been made the law that an. owner of a ipotor vehicle -is liable’ for damages reuniting ifrom negligence in its operation -Jje -shq'wp.tlici, veliiplp,iwas