PEOPLE AFOOT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 4, 4 July 1931, Page 17

PEOPLE AFOOT

THE CROSSING PROBLEM

LACK OF CONSIDERATION

The first of a weekly set of articles being issued by the Legal Department of the California State' Automobile Association iv regard to motoring matters fittingly enough sets out the position as .between, the motorist and pedestrian. The relationship' is noteworthy, and worth tlic attention of Wellington people on account of the fact that iv Wellington' there .is. so much consideration for motor traffic and so little, for people who want to cross the road. To watch people at such, places as the Manners street-Willis street intersection after dark at crush hours these nights trying to find a way across is amusing, 'or would be if one wero less aware pf the straits in which they find themselves. They must get across as they cun, the only traffic control that seems'to exist being concentration on vehicles moving in one direction or auother. If anyone disbelieves this let him try the experiment, for, say, ten minutes or so, of seeing how often ho can make a clean cross-over from Perrett's corner to the other side of Willis street and back again at that hour-of the evening. It is a case of get across as you can, but beware how you do it. A better policy is to seek a crossing elsewhere. " . . The article reads:-—"Eights as between pedestrians and motor vehicles are defined in a new section added to the California Vehicle. Act at the last session of the Legislature. Heretofore, provisions concerning the right of way between pedestrians and motorists have boen confined to local regulations applicable in cities only. With the new election, -of the State Jaw, becoming effective, on 14th August, it can be expected that accidents, involving .pedestrians upon State highways and county roads will be greatly diminished. "Under the now section the driver r».P a vehicle must yield the right of I way Id a pedestrian crossing tha fond-

way oi- highway within any marked crosswalk. At many places upon our vStato highways cross-walks have been indicatecl by painted lines or other de vices, iv which pedestrians are supposed to cross.-Motorists should pay heed when approaching such crosswalks and slow down and yield the right of way to pedestrians who happen to be using these lanes. In addition, pedos tri,ans are given the right of way in crossing a road or highway at the end of a block, whether or ndt there are any markings. "Pedestrians who .have been accorded these rights.'should be careful to iefrajn from attempting to cross except at the designated places, particularly when traffic is heavy. Otherwise, confusion and serious accidents will continue to occur. It. must be realised, however, that there-.will be -occasions for pedestrians to cross'where there arc] no block ends or crosswalks within a reasonable distance; ■ ■ ..-.-. MUST USE CROSSINGS; ■ :. ' ''Pedestrians crossing.at' undesignated points must yield-the right of way to vehicles. The motorist must continue under such circumstances to use due care and caution for the safety of the pedestrian, who must also use cate for his own safety. "It is further provided that wheii a vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or any intersection to permit a pedestrian to. cross it- is unlawful for the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear to overtake or pass the ono which has stopped. The reason for this rule is obvious, because a vehicle stopped under such conditions will iv many instances, cut off the vision of tho driver of an approaching vehicle intending to pass, making it impossible, for tho. latter to observe a pedestrian I crossing in front of the stopped vehicle. Should the approaching vehicle continue on its way little or no time would be loft to avoid colliding with the pedestrian. MUST OBEY SIGNALS. "At intersections where traffic is controlled by automatic signals or by police Officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway against a red. or stop signal. In other words, pedestrians must realise that they are required to obey such signals the same as the motorist. Where there- are adjacent intersections so controlled, it is unlawful for a pedestrian to cross between' such intersections except at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. "A crosswalk is defined as that portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of kerb lines and property lines at intersections, or any other portion of a roadway clearly marked or indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or maikings upon the surface of the pavement." . |