THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1929.
THE CHINA`MAIL,
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SPEED LIMIT?
WHEN. MOTORISTS ARE DANGEROUS
PUBLIC AND ROAD RULES.
The question of speed limit was among the subjects discussed be- fore the Select Committee of the House of Lords which is consider ing Viscount Cecil of Chelwood's Eoad Vehicles Regulation Bill.
A
witness representing the Ministry of Transport expressed the view that the question should be left to be decided by the free will of Parliament. The Chair- London man mentioned that tho police were in favour of a speed limit.
The Committee was presided over by the Earl of Wemyas, and the other members present were Earl Russell, Viscount Cecil, and Lord Sandhurst.
Mr. H. H. Pigott gave evidence
the witness stated that while the Minister of Transport had great sympathy with the principle in volved there would be considerable difficulties in carrying it out. The companies with which insurance was effected would have to be ap- proved by a Government depart- ment, and there would arise a de- mand for some sort of public con- trol over them. As a man who was not insured would be unable to secure a would be in a position to say whe- licence the companies
ther a man could be a driver or Fot. Such a man ought to have some power of appeal. As a man might drive a lorry and a motor- cycle, the insurance would have to be in respect of the vehicle.
The Chairman: In extreme cases in respect of even a stolen vehicle.
Insuring Bandits
Eari Russell: I don't think you can ask anyone to insure a bandit. Witness: The New Zealand bill provided even for that.
Clause of the bill would give highway authorities power to make alterations in the levels of roads, on behalf of the Ministry of Trans- so as to prevent excessive speed port. Regarding the question as at dangerous pointą.
|
Witness: I would rather have a particular type of notice at such place and make it a serious offence. not to pay attention to it.
Viscount Cecil asked Ministry of Transport could not if the take his "unhappy" bill and use it for what it was worth in drafting a bill for the promotion of safety. People were getting impatient.
the
Witness replied that Minister of Transport welcomed
Cecil's bill. the public impatience and Viscount He had no doubt the Ministry could draft such a bill. The difficulty of the Ministry was that it was practically impossible to get a hill through Parliament at the present time.
"Who are You to Teli Us?"
Mr. Mervya O'Gorman, vice- chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said that it was of the utmost importance to "force people into establishing a custom of keeping to the left the whole time, both on the road and on the pavement."
your
"The trouble is," he said, "that when the Safety First Association started to try and instruct the public in this matter, people turned round and said: "Who the devil are you to tell us what to do? and promptly did exactly the opposite!".
The Chairman: Have scouts any power to stop danger oua driving? They have no power; but in fact they do. I am one of those who still regard the motorist as being not at all anxious to do. any harm to anyone. (Laughter.) We find that a little tactful advice to motorists is usually of consider- able avail.
to whether applicants for licences Witness stated that the Ministry should undergo 24 physical of Transport was opposed to such examination, the witness said that devices. The cuttings across the in countries where such an ex-roads in some parts of France amination had been instituted it were usually. negotiated by the had never been abandoned. To carry drivers increasing speed and the provisions of the bill into shouting out. a warning to the effect in this respect would, how-passengers: (Laughter.). ever, be expensive. Another Earl Russell: "Young bloods" method would be for action to be might go out and see how fast they taken on substantial information could drive over these obstructions. being lodged as to the physical Witness added that he would be condition of a driver, say, by the sorry to have personal respon-
· Members of the committee took police. The applicant would then sillity for placing such obstruc- exception to the witness's frequent arly receive a licence on passing tions. The warning signs would use of the term "unavoidable ac-.
have to be effectively illuminated cidents."
The signs, if they were "The competence of drivers." at night. added witness, "depends so much merely illuminated by "cat's eyes," the development of road might get rusty and small boys sense. You can only acquire road would find them inviting targets. sense by practice and by proceeding Heavy, well-sprung cars would Crosg these obstructions easily, "I think the general opinion but in some classes of ears the would be that when a man starts drivers might be deprived of con- learning, and a few weeks after,
trol.
tests.
upon
with caution.
Earl Russell: I do not believe there are "unavoidable accidents," The good driver should take into account the stupid mistakes that the bad driver is going to make and should be additionally cautious. Viscount Cecil: In other words, you are not entitled to kill a man because he is crossing the road in a silly manner,
be is not dangerous. When he Viscount Cecil: We have 5,000 begins to think he knows all about people killed annually and 200,000 Earl Russell Or to run into it then he is really more dangerous injured.
What are
another motorist because he 19 doing the wrong thing,
than at any other atage of his do about it ? career. There is also the man who is always constitutionally dangerous because of his reckless character."
Wilneas agreed that it would be
a good thing that an applicant for Ja driving licence should state that he was familiar with the ordinary rules and courtusies of the road.
Earl Russell: Would a higher speed than twenty miles an hour be sate for charabanes."
Witness: The modern type of motor-coach is a fine type of vehicle, and the driver has it under good control. Whether the speed is too low is a matter of opinion.
Speed and Road Damage
Witness did not think speed was often an element of danger to per- soas in motor-coaches.
Viscount Cecil: Has the speed
of heavy vehicles been a con- tributory of roads?
wear
Witness: Undoubtedly speed bas a considerable bearing on the and tear of roads. When Piccadilly was under repair the motor buses and heavy traffic were turned down Constitution-hill. The Once of Works pointed out that the road was not intended to earry such traffic. A low speet limit was strictly imposed, and the roadway hardly suffered at all.
Dealing with the proposition in the bill that the maximum speed of motor vehicles should be controled by some mechanical device, the wit- nesa contended that rapid accelera- tion was as important as rapid braking power. If two vehicles' had to pound along side by side. [before one could pass the other, there would be increased danger. It might be necessary to have special traffic police to enforce a speed limit...
Viscount Cecil:- I have heard! the allegation that where police- men have pursued a car they have! hooted loudly to induce the car! to go faster, and then arrested the driver on a charge of exceeding | the speed limit. (Laughter.)
Witheas said the department's view would be to "turn down" mechanical speed governors for ears, and to rely upon increased penalties for dangerous driving and the paying of ingreased attention, to dangerous driving.
Viscount Cecil: You would abolish the speed limit altogether.
Witdess I think that is a point any Government would leave to the free will of the House.
As to all motor users having to insure against third party risks,
we going to
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