WALKING ALONG THE ROAD AT NIGHT TIME

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 105, 28 January 1938, Page 15

WALKING ALONG THE ROAD AT NIGHT TIME

What The Latest Accident Statistics Indicate

rpHERE have been arguments for and against the principle of com- ' ' pelling pedestrians when walking along a roadway where there ✓ are no footpaths to. walk toward approaching traffic and not away from it, and the latest figures issued by the Transport Department are eloquently in favour of those who agree with the compulsion mentioned.

Curiously enough the department did not. see fit. to make it compulsory, but suggested that pedestrians might walk along roads on the right-hand side toward oncoming traffic, It will be interesting to note whether the department’s courage has been strengthened by its own figures to the extent of requiring pedestrians to obey the rule in the form of a regulation. No doubt, as promised, amendments will be made in due course to traffic regulations. In the period, March 15-December 31, 74 persons hurt were walking in the same direction as the vehicles .were travelling, and in only 12 when ‘walking in the opposite direction from the vehicles.

The difference in totals is considerable, and sufficient to give the department some small cause for thought on the subject. Of course, the details do not state what proportion of the accidents were caused at night-time, and knowledge on that aspect is important in so far as visibility and the careful driving of the motorist are concerned. Experienced drivers know that it is a much easier process to distinguish in one’s headlights the faces, hands, and neckwear of pedestrians walking toward vehicles at night-time, than see pedestrians, particularly if in dark

clothing, walking in the same direction as the overtaking vehicle.

To tiie safe driver the appearance of a person walking toward him is a signal for greater caution, and a slowing down, but there is less warning and a distinct danger hazard in find ing oneself .suddenly approaching a dark-clothed figure of which no visible warning has been given. The necessity for walking along roads exists mostly in the suburban or rural districts, “where there are no footpaths, and the logical thing to do, of course, is to remove the necessity in the only feasible way. It is being realised at this late day by roadlug authorities that footpaths are essential in view of modern traffic demands, and that the farther footpaths are from the actual carriageway the betterg and where there are footpaths local authorities should see to it that they are properly lighted and maintained in useable condition.

In the meantime pedestrians who must walk along roads at night-time will know that they will be considering their own safety if they walk toward oncoming traffic instead of away from it, and at the same time keep as close as they can to the side of the bitumbn or roadway.