Page:Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs (1946).djvu/41

 supported by legal opinion, that failure to conform to the indication given by an authorised “Keep Left” sign constitutes an offence under Section 49 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. We recommend that highway authorities should continue to have discretionary powers to erect 12 in. × 9 in. “Keep Left” signs at appropriate places, but for the reasons given in paragraph 28 we recommend that the larger size of sign (24 in. × 18 in.) should be used only when specially authorised by the Minister.

The two signs recommended are similar to signs already authorised, except that for the reasons given in paragraph 18 the lettering is black on white instead of, as hitherto, white on blue.

Halt at Major Road Ahead

96. Asign “Halt at Major Road Ahead” was adopted on the recommendation of the 1933 Committee. In our view it has achieved considerable success in the promotion of road safety, and we recommend that, subject to inversion of the triangle within the ring over the sign (as shown in diagram 70) to accord with International practice, its use be continued under the conditions which have obtained since 1937, i.e. that individual signs may be erected only on the specific authorisation of the Department.

Stop, Children Crossing

97. Asign “Stop, Children Crossing” is authorised for use for the purpose of stopping vehicles to enable children to cross the carriageway. It may be used only:

(a) by persons authorised by the highway authority ; and

(b) between the hours of 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. or half an hour after sunset, whichever is later.

The sign is portable and is displayed only when children are actually crossing or about to cross. We support the continued use of a sign of this character, but recommend that an amended sign bearing the “torch” symbol as shown in diagram 71, be adopted.

Stop for Weight Check

98. A sign bearing the words “Stop, Road Traffic Officer” is authorised for use for stopping of vehicles for the purpose of having them weighed under the powers conferred by Section 27 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. The sign may be used only during the hours of daylight and by persons specifically authorised by the highway authority. We consider that the term “Road Traffic Officer” does not indicate with sufficient accuracy the purpose for which the sign is being used, or the status of the officer using it, and we recommend that the existing sign should be superseded by that shown in diagram 72, worded “Stop for Weight Check.”

Stop and Go

99. Diagram 73 shows two sides of a reversible sign which we recommend should be authorised for use for controlling traffic where some temporary restriction of the carriageway width (e.g. because of road repairs) makes it necessary to work alternating one-way traffic. The sign 1s similar to one already authorised but the size of the letters has been increased to g in. and the over-all diameter to 36 in. When the sign is used during hours of darkness its illumination to a standard not less than is necessary to make it legible to persons of normal eye-sight at a distance of roof should be obligatory. Reference to this sign has already been made in paragraph 31.