ROAD DANGERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1939, Page 12

ROAD DANGERS.

SAFETY PROPOSALS. BUSY INTERSECTIONS. A lO M.P.H. RULE SUGGESTED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON', this day. Of a number of proposals for reduction of traffic dangers where minor roads intersect heavily trafficked roads, the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. G. L. Laurenson, considers limitation of speed upon the lightly trafficked road to 10 miles an hour the most practicable and to-day the Road Safety Council was asked to state its opinion. It is not proposed these new signs should be placed at all intersections, but only at points approved by the Minister, which approval would not be given where it was reasonably possible to improve visibility. Of the replies received. 150 expressed approval, but the Main Highways H'.ard, 12 local bodies, and the two motor unions opposed the scheme on the main grounds that a "major road ahead" sign would serve the same purpose, that the sign would add to the multiplicity of signs and the provision would be difficult to enforce, and that it would not be as effective as a stricter enforcement of the right-hand rule. The Main Highways Board said it proposed to take up with local authorities the improvement of visibility at intersections, and the motor unions asked that action should be deferred. The Commissioner said that in the view of the Transport Department none of these would seem to warrant the dropping of the proposal. "Major road ahead" signs would not be sufficient in themselves, as they would be universally used at approach roads. The pro--1 isal would not interfere with the right hand rule. The intersections it was proposed to concentrate upon were those where very minor traffic routes made a junction with a highway. Efficient lighting of pedestrian crossings was another point made in the council's proceedings, it being a recommendation that thev should lie all so lit and marked as to be clearly visible at least 100 ft. 1 Provision of pedestrian' safety zones and tram passenger islands was recommended where its use was dictated by the various factors set out.