D.—l.

The diagram below shows the summarized results for motor-cars and motor-trucks respectively and supplies evidence as to the range of speeds at which these vehicles are operated under the most favourable circumstances. As the older models of vehicles disappear in the course of time it is probable that some increase will develop in the lower range of speeds. In the designing of highway requirements consideration must necessarily be given to the speed characteristics of traffic, and although this is by no means the governing factor it is of definite value when formulating standards which must provide every possible degree of safety.

Measures to promote Road Safety.

In its last report the Board outlined certain suggestions, which it had submitted to the New Zealand Eoad Safety Council and which were considered to be of importance to road-controlling authorities in their activities for making roads safer to traffic. Throughout the year under review attention has been given to many items in the course of highways operations, and the improved conditions have contributed towards the public campaign for safer roads. Mention was made last year of the intention to erect protective fencing in dangerous localities. A certain amount of this class of work has been carried out, but owing to non-delivery of the cable required progress was somewhat retarded. In the meantime posts have been procured, and in some cases erected, in readiness for attaching the cable as soon as it is to hand. In the course of reconstruction work, particularly in precipitous country where formation widths are limited, low concrete or stone walls have been built so as to afford a greater sense of security. Prior to the last holiday season special instructions were issued requiring the clearing of natural growth where visibility at corners or bridge approaches was affected and where sign-posts were obscured. It was also directed that bridge-ends,, approach fences, &c., were to be clearly marked by white painting and that indistinct centre-line markings were to be repainted. The beneficial effect of these measures was most marked, and steps have been taken to ensure that constant attention will be given to this requirement. Further progress has been made with the erection of white-painted guide-posts on the sides of highways for the purpose of assisting motorists travelling at night. This type of direction marking has been much appreciated, especially in districts subject to fogs. Considerable advance has been made by way of providing better superelevation at curves, particularly on gravelled roads. The increased amount of up-to-date grading equipment now in use on main highways has facilitated the work of correcting superelevation in the course of ordinary maintenance operations. When submitting its last annual report the Board advised that investigations were being made into the question of providing footpaths on main highways in populous areas. Hitherto it had not been found possible to grant financial assistance towards this class of work except in the case of footways on bridges. However, the urgency of catering in some degree for the safety of pedestrian traffic was recognized, and as the result of inquiries it was decided that in specially approved cases a highway 'subsidy of £1 for £1 would be granted towards the construction and surfacing of footpaths. It appeared that in several localities paths had been formed, and sometimes metalled, but pedestrians were disinclined to make use of them when the adjacent highway was paved with a smooth surface. It has therefore been arranged that, wherever possible, footpaths be constructed with a paved surface in order to effectively separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and the cost of this type of surface is subject to the subsidy rate mentioned.

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