SPEED REGULATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1934, Page 9

SPEED REGULATIONS

MOTOR TRAFFIC CONTROL CONDITIONS IN NEW ZEALAND. RESPONSIBILITY THE DRIVERS. (To the Editor.) Sir,— Proposed legislation to rationalise Dominion traffic laws comes as good news to many motorists and owners of motor vehicles in commercial use. New Zealand has long lagged behind other countries in establishing regulations which thte modern trend of motor transport demands. However, it is somewhat disappointing to see that it is proposed to adhere to the old speed limit on unsealed roads and through towns. Modern experience in countries where the volume of motor traffic is considerably heavier than it is in this country had demonstrated conclusively that the imposition of speed limit is completely futile as a means of traffic regulation. The maximum safe speed on any stretch of given road will vary as infinitely as visibility, weather conditions, time of day and nature and volume of traffic on it. In the case of a prosecution for negligent or dangerous driving the speedlimit factor is merely confusing, as it is rare that reliable evidence of speed can be obtained from corroborative witnesses., With one or two exceptions, largely affecting bridges under construction and incomplete formations, there should be no mention of maximum speed in the traffic regulations either local .or national. Convictions for negligence and dangerous driving would be far easier to obtain if the term “maximum speed under the regulations” were, omitted altogether. The responsibility for driving safely will always rest entirely with the motorist himself. As those who are experienced drivers know very well, speed—particularly as touring speeds are gradually rising—has little to do in the distinction between safe and unsafe behaviour on the road.—l am, etc., . . CHASSIS. New Plymouth, October 5.