The New Provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1956
| Published date | 01 January 1957 |
| Date | 01 January 1957 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/002201835702100110 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The
New
Provisions of the Road
Traffic Act
1956
Future
historians will perhaps view with amazement
the
freedom allowed to present day road users in this country.
In
a society where
much
is controlled comparative liberty
exists on
the
roads.
It
is
true
that
amotorist can commit
a whole host of offences either through
the
manner of his
driving or
the
condition of his vehicle,
but
when
the
roads
are generally considered to be congested and where
the
figures
of fatalities and injuries caused on the roads continue to
increase he is allowed to go when
and
where he likes without
let or hindrance. Pedal cyclists have enjoyed substantial
immunity from
the
law, pedestrians have been in practice
outside the law, and dog owners have no responsibilities for
the
behaviour of
their
pets on
the
roads providing the said pets
do not bite anyone.
If
this situation should be somewhat incomprehensible
when compared to a substantial amount of control which,
let us suppose, is exercised in
the
future,
the
swing of the
pendulum
may well be considered to have been started by the
Road Traffic Act 1956.
VEHICLE TESTS
Although
much
detail will be filled in by Regulations
the
general position is clear: vehicles first registered
ten
years
ago (this period can be reduced)
must
be tested to see if they,
their
accessories
and
equipment, comply with existing
statu-
tory requirements as to construction
and
condition. Properly
equipped Examination Stations can be maintained
and
Examiners authorised to make
the
necessary tests and issue,
or refuse to issue, certificates. Any person aggrieved may
appeal to
the
Minister of
Transport
and
Civil Aviation
against
the
refusal of
the
Examiner to issue a certificate.
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