Riccarton Road crossing

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32542, 27 February 1971, Page 16

Riccarton Road crossing

Sir,—This afternoon saw another near-lethal rear-end collision at the Riccarton Road pedestrian crossing near the Ilam-Middelton Road intersection. Three years ago a five-year-old was knocked off this crossing by a three-car pile-up. Today, miraculously, the mother on duty foresaw the impact, screamed to the children part way over, and saved them from injury as the front car was flung violently forward. We trust a prosecution will follow without fear or favour. The rear car involved was a police car. Mothers act as traffic wardens here to protect children, but are not provided with the official pink cone and. flag to warn motorists. As the Ham staffstudent population grows, traffic lights here will be essential to protect both children and adults. But must a child die before we get at least a patrol cone and traffic officer support in the meantime?—Yours, etc., (MRS) JENNIFER WYBOURNE. February 16, 1971. [Chief Traffic Officer A. Laing, of the Ministry of Transport, replies: “The method of control for this pedestrian crossing is under consideration, and every endeavour will be made to bring the safety factor to the highest level. Traffic officer coverage will be increased and the situation will be kept under constant review.”]