Traffic Signals in the Black-out
| DOI | 10.1177/002201834000400111 |
| Published date | 01 January 1940 |
| Date | 01 January 1940 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Traffic Signals in the Black-out
WHILE
some pedants have been insisting that
the"
black-
out"
is misnamed and should be called
the"
black-in ",
other ingenious minds have been devising what they consider
a defence to a summons under section 49 of the Road Traffic
Act, 1930, for failing to conform to the indication given by
a traffic signal.
The
grounds of their argument appear to
be that the traffic lights should be the usual bright 8-inch
lenses of red, yellow, or green -to which we are accustomed
in time of peace, and that amotorist cannot successfully
be prosecuted for failing to observe the narrow crosses of
light which these signals now display.
As the matter is not without importance we propose to
take it through its various stages. Section 48 of the Road
Traffic Act, 1930, as amended, enacts that subject to and in
conformity with such general or
other
directions as may be
given by the Minister of
Transport,
ahighway authority
may cause or permit traffic signs to be placed on or near
any road in their area.
The
signs are to be of the prescribed
size, colour, and type except where the Minister authorizes
the erection or retention of a sign of another character. By
section 121
"prescribed
", unless the context otherwise
requires, means "prescribed by regulations ".
Section 49, as amended, provides
that
where any traffic
sign, being a sign for regulating the movement of traffic or
indicating the route to be followed by traffic and being of
the prescribed size, colour, and type or of another character
authorized by the Minister under section 48, has been lawfully
placed on or near any road in accordance with the provisions
of section 48, any person driving or propelling any vehicle
who
...
(b) fails to conform to the indication given by the
sign shall be guilty of an offence.
lIZ
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