GUIDING MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 288, 5 December 1925, Page 9

GUIDING MOTOR TRAFFIC.

WHITE LINES ON ROADWAY. PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS. MOTORING S.M.'S HINTS. That the "white line of safety" system should be introduced into the streets of Auckland, is the opinion of Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. The magistrate, himself an enthusiastic motorist, with a full knowledge of the dangers of the road,, has intimated to a "Star" representative that at the next by-law Court over which he presides he will suggest to the authorities that the idea should be put into practice here. The white line system has been tried with remarkable success in England, and has been declared to be one of the best road safety measures to cope with the continuous casualty roll. The white line is placed at eross'-roads, corners and bends to indicate to motorists that it is their duty to remain on the near side of the mark.. Observance means the prevention of the two most fruitful causes of accidents—taking corners at excessive speeds and attempting to pass other vehicles at improper places. At Home, the idea has the support of the Ministry of Transport, of the police and of the Automobile Association. Many local bodies also realise its value. It is to be found in London, Surrey, Middlesex, Essex, Oxfordshire, Kent, Berkshire, Sussex and Wales, and in many of the larger towns. In busy centres there is a variation of its use. A broad white line is put at right angles to the traffic, just short of street refuges, on which are exhibited notices, "Stop short of white line." It is «an indication to motorists and other drivers that unless they are passed on •by the traffic policeman, they must stop to allow pedestrians to cross the road by way of the refuge and not in front of it. Scotland Yard and the Oxford city ! police have declared that the white line jhas proved its value. Success in England. ' For some time past a systematic tally has been kept of the incidence of accij dents in important thoroughfares in 'England. This iwas done with a view to evolving schemes for the solution of traffic problems. The white line was tried experimentally and it was found that the proportion of accidents decreased appreciably, although statistics showed that the traffic density had increased. ' , Mr. Hunt stated, that he had come to the conclusion that the white line would alleviate the number .of collisions that take place at corners, owing to motorists swerving over too far to their wrong sides of the street. With a white curved line, running in the centre of the corners,, motorists would naturally keep inside it, .realising Instinctively that over the edge was forbidden ground. Hβ was of opinion that tlie system should be given a. trial here. I Automobife Association's View. ' Mr. Hunt's intention was conveyed to Mr. G. W. Hutchison, secretary of the Auckland Automobile Association, ■ a body which is out to embrace every suggestion for. the welfare of motorists. Mr. Hutchison said that the idea, if put into • force, would. be a very excellent one, provided it was -carried out properly. • Judging by past experiences with the white lines .laid down on the pavements in an attempt to keep pedestrians on their correct sides, he anticipated, however, that the proposal would be carried out for a short time and then allowed lo sink into oblivion, as, were the footpath .guides. As Mr. Hutchison pointed out, these were kept visible for a time; but were gradually allowed to wear out, until now there is no sign of them in Queen Street. If, however, the city authorities and. local bodies did carry out the suggestion properly. Mr. Hutchison was sure that it would be most beneficial. He mentioned that the lines should be put down in the suburbs as well as within the «trf fireas, for a good percentage of accidents occurred outside the city limits. i Mr. Hunt will probably preside over a by-law Court on Wednesday next, and it. is then he will put forward his proposal. -' « • %