The Report of the Royal Commission on Motor-cars was issued
on Thursday. The principal recommendaticns are as follows. The present general speed-limit of twenty miles an hour is to be abolished. There is to be a special speed-limit of twelve miles an hour in towns and villages and at dangerous corners and steep hills, this special limit to be imposed by the local authorities and indicated by danger-signals. The speed of heavy motor-cars—i.e., cars above two tons in weight and having non-resilient tyres—is to be reduced to five miles an hour. The duty of a motorist to stop when damage or accident has occurred is to be enlarged and made more explicit. The revenue from the taxation of motor-cars is to be devoted to the improvement of the roads. Additional powers are to be given to local authorities for removing obstructions to the view on rural highways. Further facilities are to be arranged for enabling the general public to ascertain the name and address of the owner of any car. Owners of motor-cars are to be made liable to penalties if they have abetted their drivers in committing legal offences. A special penalty is imposed on a man drunk in charge of a motor-car. The taxes upon motor-cars are to be increased.
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