Special Watch Will Be Kept On Controlled Intersections

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 18

Special Watch Will Be Kept On Controlled Intersections

Intersections at which there are compulsory stop signs and give-way signs will receive special attention from officers of the Christchurch City Council's traffic department in a campaign beginning on June 23. The assistant traffic superintendent (Mr H. W. Birdling) said yesterday that intersections provided with compulsory stop signs and give-way signs had a lower rate of accidents than other intersections. But when accidents did occur at a point controlled by a sign they were usually more severe because motorists relaxed their care at these points. Mr Birdling said that the 43 compulsory stops and 12 give-way signs would be under observation by traffic officers for some part of the day from June 23 to June 27. For some time the traffic department had been concerned about the severity of accidents at compulsory stop signs. Research into accidents showed that at a compulsory stop sign a motorist was often inclined to increase speed approaching the intersection, as he knew he had a right of way. A special sub-committee of the traffic committee was

considering the best way of running the campaign and already had prepared two cyclostyled folders which, Mr Birdling said, he hoped would be issued to motorists. One folder says, “Accidents don't just happen—they are caused.’’ “Don't drive like a goat,” says the other, which shows a drawing of a goat sitting behind a steering wheel. Inside the folders are reproductions of the compulsory stop and give-way signs and advice to motorists. Tnis says: Stop your vehicle at all stop signs; give way to traffic on the right and left; do not start until the way is clear; slow down when approaching give-way and stop signs.