Traffic Lights

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32078, 28 August 1969, Page 16

Traffic Lights

Sir,—l was most concerned to read this morning about toe Coroner’s findings on the death of a woman cyclist at the corner of Montreal Street and Moorhouse Avenue as a result of the lights not remaining on amber long enough for her to complete her crossing. I know for a fact that exactly the same situation exists at the corner of Bealey Avenue and Colombo Street. I often start off on the green light and have to take evasive action before I get across Bealey Avenue be- , cause toe lights have changed. Is the traffic department going to take any action to make this corner safer, or do I have to get killed before they are stirred into action? —Yours, etc.. I. B. WALKER. August 14, .1969, [The city engineer (Mr P. G. Secular) replies; “In New Zealand' a standard amber period of three seconds is adopted and, where necessary, this is increased by an ‘all red’ period of normally two seconds. There are about 15 intersections in Christchurch where, this occurs. It is important to realise that red signals mean ‘stop,’ amber signals mean ‘stop unless it is dangerous to do so,’ and green signals mean ‘go if it is safe to do so.’ The presentation of the green signal does not mean that the intersection is necessarily clear or that other persons may not have rights to be on it. The whole matter is, however, being considered in considerable detail.”]