SAFETY FIRST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 11, 23 October 1937, Page 2

SAFETY FIRST.

ANALYSIS OF ACCIDENTS. i “The analysis of motor accidents issued recently by the Transport Department from the period March 15 ±o September 30, showed that no fewer than 182 pedestrians actually walked into motor vehicles and were injured, a fact which shows that no matter how careful motorists may try to be they run great risks of being involved in collisions with pedestrians, says the latest safety message of the Automobile Association, Canterbury, Incorporated. “Many of the pedestrians who were hurt actually walked from behind parked vehicles into the traffic stream and were hurt, and the lesson is clear for all motorists that not only must they always keep a vigilant lookout in front of their vehicles but they must also, when passing parked vehicles, be on guard far the preoccupied pedestrian who walks out on to the roadway. Where roads are wide enough to permit it, motorists should keep as far away from parked vehicles as is consistent with safety and they should never travel past parked vehicles at a greater rate than will give them the fullest margin of safety in which to pull up should anyone emerge unexepectedly and suddenly from behind a parked vehicle.

“The danger w r hicli pedestrians create for themselves in crossing thoroughfares at other than the. recognised crossing places cannot be too strongly stressed, and any pedestrian who enters a roadway from .an obscured position should make absolutely certain that no traffic is approaching before they attempt to cross the street. The danger which pedestrians run in entering a street from behind parked vehicles at night time is much greater, of course, than in the day time, because of the many factors such as inefficient lighting, shadows, etc., which come into play after nightfall. “In every set of figures issued by the Transport Department there is an abnormally high percentage of accidents caused through pedestrians walking into vehicles. The street is no place to daydream, or wapder in preoccupation. Pedestrians must realise that the modern motor vehicle is relatively silent, and fast, and no chances of any kind should be taken by people when they leave the footpath with the intention of crossing a thoroughfaie. And because pedestrians will continue to walk carelessly upon the roadway motorists must be ever on guard lest they be involved, as ordinarily careful drivers, with negligent walkers. Pedestrians, wherever possible should cross thoroughfares on the recognised crossing places, and if a regular crossing place is not available, then the proper correct procedure is to look to right and left before entering upon the thoroughfare Avhich should be crossed only at right angles.”