SAFE CROSSINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1926, Page 8

SAFE CROSSINGS.

NEED FOR PEDESTRIANS

"REFUGE FROM MAN-KILLERS."

■ People who come from other parts of the world declare that nowhere else have they observed such disregard for the safety, and convenience of the pedestrian and so much pampering of the motorist as in Auckland. This may seem somewhat stretched, particularly if we have regard to Paris, where, it is said. a pedestrian who-is-unfortunate enougu to be knocked over is at once arrested for obstructing the traffic—lf he is not sufficiently injured to necessitate carting to the hospital. But it is seriously held that, compared with such centres as London and New York, the pedestrian here is poorly safeguarded when crossing the streets of the city.

In other large eitie9 quoted there are well-defined crossings at fixed points, where the pedestrian may cross in perfect safety under the eyes of the guardian angel of the law—the policeman with the magic hand. The officer sees a nervous pedestrian. Up goes hi 9 hand. The traffic stops, and the man or woman crosses the road. At busy periods he lets across whole streams. The pedestrian is recognised to have the right of the road, and vehicular traffic is stayed whenever necessary for his safety and convenience. • "In Auckland there is no refuge from the man-killers," declared a gentleman who has had experience of traffic control in London, to a "Star" man to-day. "People have to find their own way across the road, dodging death at every step. Motorists come around corners at any old speed, right in front of pedestrians about to cross the street, and they seem to take a fiendish delight in sounding their horns when they are almost right on to a pedestrian, and making him jump back with affright. I have heard them call out to pedestrians to 'Get out of the road!' as if the foot passenger had no right to be on the earth. It is a wonder to mc that some of these gentlemen are not pulled out of their cars and dealt with. "It is high time the traffic authorities gave more consideration to the pedestrian. It seems to mc that a great many people, as soon as they get hold of the wheel of a motor, consider that they own the roads, and that mere walkers should scoot like rabbits out of their way or be run over. These people should be brought down to earth and made to realise that the right of the road in the first instance belongs to the pedestrian. "What is required here are recognised pedestrian crossings at various points in the city, where walkers could cross in perfect safety under the direction of an officer with authority to stop vehicular traffic at frequent intervals. If people like to cross elsewhere, well, they would do so at their own risk. But there should be properly defined pedestrian crossings. It- is up to the, City Council to move in this matter—and without delay."