TRAFFIC CONTROL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18499, 21 February 1930, Page 8

TRAFFIC CONTROL.

QUESTION OF MAJOR AND MINOR ROADS. DISCUSSION BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. A suggestion that major road traffic should have the right-of-way over traffic proceeding from a minor road, was introduced by Mr W. T. Ritchie, at last night’s meeting of the executive of the South Canterbury Automobile Association, and was the subject of some discussion. Mr Ritchie stated that he would not confine his suggestion to main highways, but would include main roads in a borough. In his opinion, all traffic coming from a minor road should stop to see if the highway was clear. Notices could be erected at all important sections of the borough, and these could be made compulsory stops. Mr A. L. Gee: ‘ You intend to plaster the whole road with notices?” Mr Ritchie: “No. But in the case of busy areas, like Wai-iti Road, I think it would be necessary.” Mr Gee: “That means that on all corners along Wai-iti Road notices would be erected on either side, and motorists would be obliged to stop and see that the coast is clear?” Mr Gee instanced the case of such streets as Seaview Terrace, stating that this street was only one of the many touched Wai-iti Road. Mr Ritchie: “If a man is senseless enough to charge out of Seaview Terrace without consideration, then he wants to get his head read, or be placed in gaol.” At intersections such as Seaview Terrace, motorists could be relied upon to use commonsense. It was at the important intersections, where a road ran right through such streets as Wai-iti Road, that notices were, in his opinion, necessary. Mr G. A. Bridges said that if a motorist were travelling down Stafford Street, and was obliged to stop at Wai-iti* Road. Church Street, and North Street, the journey would be a most tedious one. Mr Ritchie stated that the journey might be tedious, but it obviated the danger of accidents. Mr Bridges: “I’d sooner take the risks.” Mr Ritchie: “Yes. I know you would, but it’s the other fellow you’ve got to consider.” The chairman (Mr J. Palliser) suggested that Mr Ritchie might forward his suggestion, in the form of a remit, to the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union. Mr Ritchie stated that it was wellknown at the present time that a major road had right-of-way over a minor one, but what he wanted to see were stop notices erected to define a major road from a minor one. He moved that a remit be forwarded as follows:—"That major roads have right-of-way against minor roads.” The remit could be introduced in that form, and he would take the opportunity of putting forward the suggestions as to notices, at the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr S. G. McClelland. Mr Gee. moved an amendment that the remit be:—“That it be a recommendation from this Committee that in the case of cities and boroughs, the off-side rule shall still remain, but in the case of clearly defined main roac’ outside cities and boroughs, all traffic approaching from side roads into the aforesaid main roads shall slow down and give way to traffic on the main roads.” This was seconded by Mr Jenkins, who stated that he was against the motion on the ground that it gave preference to main roads when some of the subsidiary roads were equally as important. The amendment was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it. On the motion being put, it was carried, Messrs Jenkins and Gee voting against.