TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 10, 12 July 1922, Page 3

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

(By " Renrut.")

SCIENTIFIC ACCIDENT

PREVENTION

SOME WELLINGTON PROBLEMS

Wellington, in common with many larger cities, finds that it has a growing traffic problem, and the civic authorities are frequently called upon to solve difficulties in regard to vehicular congestion. At the back of /the regulation of wheeled traffic —whether trams, motors, or horse-drawn conveyances—lie two objectives; first, the continuance of the stream of traffic on the busiest thoroughfares, and, secondly, the prevention' of accident. To cope with these problems Wellington, in line with other cities, has called to its assistance traffic police, who daily, even in inclement weather, may be seen at each end of Willis-street, at Cuba-street, and at the Courtenay-place tram junction, carrying out the duties devolving upon them to see that everything is kept moving in the right direction. They are fulfilling a very useful work, but the hours during which they do point duty is unduly restricted, and the existing scheme may be said to be but the commencement of an organised system of traffic regulation. Later on they will require to do duty at both earlier and later hours than is the case at present, and that before very long, too. A

Wellington, noted for its narrow streets, offers many difficulties to the authorities so far as street traffic is concerned, and yearly the problem becomes more difficult of solution. For instance, the time is not .far distant when Willisstreet, Cuba-street, and probably several other thoroughfares, will have to be reserved for "one-way" travelling only. A vehicle desirous of stopping at business premises, say, half-way up Willis-, street, and coming from Lambtonquay, will require to travel ' via Victoria-street to Lower Cuba-street, along Manners-street to its destination in Willis-street. When the conveyance moves off again it will not be allowed to turn round, but will travel straight on towards Lambton-quay, sent forward as seems best by the traffic constable. The system is simple, is effective, and drivers quickly learn what is required of them.

There may come a time when we will look back to tlie period of avoidable street accidents with feelings of wonder that they were tolerated for so long. Wellington fortunately has. not yet compiled a long list of street accidents and deaths .as the Teeult of traffic, but each day brings its narrow escapes and minor injuries and an occasional more serious casualty^ In such cases it has been difficult to place the responsibility, and consequently little has been done to remedy matters. A bylaw of great value in this direction is that which compels motor-cars or other, vehicles to refrain from passing a standing tramcar. Acci/ dents from this cause were frequent until the bylaw came into operation, whilst only recently several cases have been reported in Auckland, where the civic authorities are even now considering the advisability of adopting Wellington's bylaw. The local problem should be attacked by charting the points of greatest danger in the network of streets, just as hidden rocks and shoals are charted for the benefit of seamen. After finding out ■ where the. most' accidents have occurred, no matter whether serious or minor, it becomes possible to discover the reason for them; and so to eliminate the cause, or at least tb warn the public of any hidden dangers.

A properly drawn up map on these lines would surprise most people, who are probably under the impression that the best possible protection is supplied, and many corners that have been thought to be fairly safe would show a casualty list as great, if not greater, than the crossings that are guarded by traffic' police. Investigation would probably reveal causes that are not suspected. A source of danger at one time was the railway service through the city to Te Aro. This has happily been eliminated to the general safety, but other obstacles still exist. In several places danger points remain where the conditions of the street itself are often at fault. Vehicles are obscured from view by sharp corners, such as that at Woodwardstreet, and again at the closely-congested corner opposite Lambton Station, turning up into* Mulgrave and Sydney streets. Solutions of these problems are urgently necessary, and where conditions cannot be remedied it should at least be possible to warn both police and public that certain corners and crossings are dangerous. Traffic signs could be erected at the approach to given points, with some such warning as this : "Twenty accidents here last year! Be careful!" A chart of traffic conditions should be prepared by the City Council, showing the volume of traffic in each of the more congested areas of the city. A comparison with an ordinary map drawn to scale would then make v> clear, where certain points and certain' streets suffer, from undue congestion. Measures could then be taken to guard against these difficulties.

Traffic policemen frequently suffer accident from the traffic they are supposed to regulate; especially are the dangers to them greater when the evenings draw in rapidly, as at present. The imperfect lighting of the streets, with many conflicting rays coming from various directions, often make it difficult for motorists to see the traffic policeman' 6 signal, or, perhaps, to see him at all. The correct solution of this problem is, of course, correct lighting of the street intersection, so that any signals given may be seen clearly. A light from the side would cause a glare. Why not a powerful light from above, attached to a nearby building, whence its rays would project straight down upon the officer? As an additional safeguard, the use of a white waterproof coat and white gloves with large gaunt- i lets could be adopted for rainy or foggy weather. A searchlight as described at the several corners where police are U6ed to regulate traffic, would make the officer's lot a much happier one. Headlights on motor-cars are another continuous source of danger in Wellington streets, and the council's traffic officers would be well advised to devise some method for testing lamps. Headlights used in the city, should not be allowed to exceed a certain standard of glare, and each driver should receive a card stating that his lamps have been passed by the authorities, the card to be exhibited to properly authorised traffic officers when asked for.' Such a bylaw would spell greater; safety to pedestrians as well as to any wheeled' I traffic using the streets after dark. Much may be learned by seeking, information from other cities in Teg'avd to trafficlregulation, and suggestipns from citizens should be welcomed by the | authorities in dealing with the problems which are so frequently arising. Only Iby judicious city ordinances and, where possible, mechanical devices, coupled with a campaign of education, can the public bo induced to use greater care. Tho pedestrian, as well as the driver of motor vehicles and tramcars, requires instruction and guidance in matters oi city' teaJfip. - i