TRAFFIC SIGNALS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 110, 5 November 1935, Page 10

TRAFFIC SIGNALS

THE LIGHTS SYSTEM

SLACK OBSERVANCE

There has been much discussion recently over the driving methods of motorists in the city, and in particular over their response to the light signals in various parts of the city, and pedestrians have complained that the system of marking out by means of white lines wh^ere they are allowed to cross the road is entirely useless, as the motorists neither slow up at these places nor pay any attention to the efforts of the pedestrian to cross there.

Vv ith regard to the question of lights, there certainly seem to be some grounds for complaint, as from 10 o'clock until 10.30 this morning, out of 136 motor vehicles that went past the crossing at the junction of Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Customhouse Quay, and Willeston Street, 39 proceeded against the light signals. This is a percentage of nearly 29, and it must be remembered that the time at which these observations were made was one of the least busy periods of: the day; how great, then, must the confusion be during the rush hours, when everyone is in a hurry and the volume of traffic is greater.

It is by no means safe for pedestrians to cross the road when the light is showing red, for that is no guarantee that no motor vehicle will attempt to cross. Possibly there is still some confusion among drivers as to the exact meaning of the lights; probably some simply disregard them. The greater number of motorists that obeyed the signals at all were halfway across the street while the yellow light was still showing. When a car at the head of a line of traffic pulled up in obedience to the lights, those behind sounded their horns to urge the unfortunate front man to cross against the lights.

Nor were the trams scrupulous in their observance of the signals, although they were more careful than the motorists. It seems, in short, that from this point of view the mechanical control of traffic is less efficient than the man in blue; there is no one there to pull up an offender, and the likelihood of being fined is less. There have been numerous prosecutions and frequent warnings from the Chief Traffic Inspector, but the practice continues apparently undiminished. If motor ists cannot, or will not, obey such com-mon-sense rules the only alternative seems to be more stringent—and more burdensome—regulation.