SIDE-LINE MARKINGS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29395, 23 December 1960, Page 12

SIDE-LINE MARKINGS

Opinions Of Suggestion Comments on the suggestion made recently by Mr W. H. Brown, M.P., a past-president of the North Island Motor Union, that centre-line marking on highways be done away with in favour of side-line markings, were made yesterday by the Christchurch City Council Traffic Superintendent (Mr G. P. Kellar) and the president of Automobile Association, Canterbury (Mr E. R. Casbolt).

“While sideline marking might possibly be advantageous in highways in the country they would be a definite danger to cylists in towns and cities such as Christchurch,” said Mr Kellar. “The cyclists in Christchurch are already crowded to the left and motorists hugging a sideline rnafk would add to the dangers. The Government, in its wisdom, could decide to make a double centre-line mark on main highways. The-marks could be two feet apart, thus giving room for clearance for line-hugging motorists travelling in opposite directions. To drivers travelling at 30 miles an hour in opposite directions, the two feet would appear only a few inches. I really think that side-line marks in cities such as Christchurch, subject to foggy weather, could lead to increased dangers," Mr Kellar said. For almost a year, a stretch of highway in the Lewis Pass area had been marked with side-lines instead of a centre mark said Mr Casbolt. A similar experiment was being carried out in the North Island.

“It seems logical that a motorist is better to hug a line on his left rather than on his right, particularly from the point of view of overtaking motorists. “The automobile associations have been discussing this matter for a long period now and the associations consider that the matter is now worthy of an extensive trial period on our highways,” Mr Casbolt said.