The new Motor-car Bill was introduced into the House of
Lords by Lord Balfour of Burleigh on Monday. We have dealt with it at length elsewhere, and will only say here that its main provisions are as follows :—(1) The speed limit is abolished. (2) Reckless and dangerous driving, "having regard to all the circumstances," at whatever pace, is severely punished, and by imprisonment as well as fine. (3) The present limit of speed is retained in urban districts, and areas may be specially proclaimed by the local authority in which a lower maximum must be observed. (4) Cars must be registered and numbered, and the numbers must be visible at all times. (5) Licenses must be obtained by hired drivers though not by amateurs, but licenses are not to be a test of skill but only a form of registra- tion. They will, however, be liable to suspension or forfeiture on conviction under the Act. (6) Penalties of £20 or three months' imprisonment for a first offence, and of £50 or six months' on a second conviction, are imposed for reckless driving, but in cases where imprisonment is ordered an appeal will lie. (7) Refusing to give name and address, or giving them falsely, will be penalties under the Act. (8) The maximum weight of a car is increased from three tons to four. In our opinion there are two very great blots on the Bill,—
(1) the exemption of amateurs from the licensing clauses, and (2) the grant of a license to any applicant, and not only on proof of ability to manage a car. We most sincerely trust that the Government will take heed of the almost universal condemna- tion of these provisions in the Press, and will accept amend- ments in regard to them. We feel sure that the better opinion in the motor world will be strongly in favour of such amend- ments.
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