OBSERVING REGULATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 59, 7 September 1937, Page 13

OBSERVING REGULATIONS

The question of safety zones in the city was commented upon in the report 6f the roads committee of the Automobile' Association (Wellington) at' the1 monthly meeting .last evening.

"The question of the establishment of safety zones in the city has been made the subject of observation, and the layout of those at tram stops, such as at the Midland Hotel, has been made the subject of a discussion with the City Engineer," the . report . . stated. "Under! the present layout, a pedes-r trian crossing has been installed at each end of the safety zone, with the word 'Stop' printed on the pavement. Actually, the Government regulations say that where a safety zone has been established at tram stopping places it is not .necessary, for motor vehicles to, observe; the stop rule. The City Engineer, however, in laying, down these crossings, arranged for. the word 'Stop', to be painted on the roadway with a view,,to bringing about a better understanding as between pedestrians 'and "motorists, and with a view particularly to- educating- both parties to acknowledge -the rights .0f... each other in the early stages of the movemerit to control and regulate pedestrian traffic.. . '.:.-. ; .:. ■■

"The City ; . Engineer proposes to con--form.with'■• the' Government regulations in this matter and provide one pedestrian crossing at about the centre of each safety zone. -When this is done, motorists will, of course, require to acknowledge the regulation governing the use of pedestrian crossings; but in the event of the pedestrian crossing being, clear, it will, be unnecessary for motorists to.stop where a safety zone has been'established in the event of a stationary tramcar being within the area of the zone." .

The committee stated that it had also discussed traffic control lights at intersections with the City Engineer, who advised, that during his recent trip to Australia he took the opportunity Of. closely observing the1 operation of ■ traffic ■ actuated lights, which he definitely favours. The question of a complete change-over, however, was one involving considerable expenditure,, and could be brought about on a progressive basis only.