Pedestrian Crossings At Bus Stops Discussed

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28700, 25 September 1958, Page 16

Pedestrian Crossings At Bus Stops Discussed

Bus stops should not be sited immediately in front of pedestrian crossings, Mr N. Wright said to the Christchurch Metropolitan Road Safety Committee last evening. His suggestion that the committee should propose the suggestion to the National Road Safety Council was not taken kindly by the City Council Traffic Superintendent (Mr G. P. Kellar) or the chairman of the Christchurch Transport Board (Mr H. E. Denton), and the committee took no action.

He made the proposal in the interest of safety, and in the interest of the bus drivers, the pedestrians and motorists, Mr Wright said. He said that if either the crossing or the bus stop was shifted a bus driver would not be hampered by the crossing, motorists would not have their view of the crossing obstructed by the bus, and the pedestrians would not have to go in front of the bus on the crossing.

“The regulations are there, and they are there to be obeyed," said Mr Kellar. “The onus is on the motorist to see that the pedestrian crossing is clear, irrespective of whether part of it is obscured by a bus or not.” To Mr Wright’s remark that motorists travelled down Papanui road at 30 miles an hour and that at that speed there would he difficulty in stopping when a pedestrian stepped from in front of a bus, the motorist being entitled to think that the road was clear, Mr Kellar said that such a speed was flagrant lack of road sense, and he would have no hesitation in “putting him up.” It would be a retrograde step if bus stops were to be sited between streets, said Mr Denton “We do not want to save bus stops; we want to provide a service.” he said Mr Denton said that Mr Wright appeared to be thinking of the motorist whereas the Transport

Board provided a service for those who because of age—young and old—could not drive a car or could not afford a car; and they were the bulk of travellers, he said. “If Mr Denton can show me any man who can see through a bus I’d be interested to meet him,” said Mr A. J. Luxton. “It seems that a bus stopped immediately on a pedestrian crossing is creating an unnecessary hazard.” Mr Denton: You show me where to put the stops. Many of the bus stops had been sited away from corners, said Mr Denton. His interest was in making and keeping the roads safe for all users, taking into consideration the vast number of people that travelled by bus in relation to private cars. “There is really nothing between us,” he said to Mr Wright. Everyone on the committee was interested in safety, and he did not think Mr Wright should press the matter, Mr N. J. G. Speary, the chairman, said. “We have had a good discussion.”