CROSSING STREETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 5

CROSSING STREETS.

FEWER CHILDREN INJURED. RESULT OF INSTRUCTION. TRAFFIC OFFICERS' SUCCESS. The chief traffic inspector, Mr. G. R. Hogan, in reply to inquiries regarding the department's activities in giving instruction to primary school children on correct practice in crossing roads, said that the number of accidents to children had decreased by several hundred per cent since the instruction was begun in 1920.

Mr. Hogan said that the number of accidents that occurred to school children in 24 schools in 1929 was 412, the total attendance at the schools being approximately 10,550. In 1930 there were only 72 accidents. In 1931 there was a further large decrease. There was an actual drop from the 72 of the previous year to 63, but the figures are still better than they appear, because they were compiled from a total of five extra schools, with a total attendance of 13,033 pupils.

Figures from various individual schools make interesting reading. In Napier Street School there were 32 accidents in 1029, none the next year and three in 1931. At the Epsom School the accidents were: 1029, 23; 1930, 5; 1931, 1. Kohimarama: 1929, 2<i; 1930, 5; 1931, 4. Ponsonby: 1929, 24; 1930, 3; 1931, 1. Figures from the other schools also show similar decreases.

The method of instruction adopted at the schools is as follows: —The school grounds are marked out with white lines to represent a country road; a road with footpaths at the side; a city street with footpaths, marked street crossings, tram stops and tram lines, with and without safety zones, and intersections with and without marked lines. On the last occasion miniature motor cars were used for more effective demonstration. Mr. Hogan said that during the holiday season, as a result of the instruction, there was a marked improvement noticed with regtfvd to the use of trolleys in the main streets. In fact, there was almost a complete absence of them.