MOTORISTS CRITICAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 135, 4 December 1937, Page 8

MOTORISTS CRITICAL

MARKED CROSSINGS

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

(By Telegrfio'a— Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, December 3. The opinion that the present method of marking pedestrian crossings was unsatisfactory was expressed at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union today, the following remit from the Automobile Association (Otago) being carried: "That the attention of the Transport Department be drawn to the unsatisfactory method adopted in marking pedestrian crossings. This conference is of opinion that some system of marking these crossings should be undertaken which will provide a more distinctive, permanent, and uniform warning to motor ists when approaching them." In moving the adoption of the remit, Mr. A. E. Ansell (Otago) referred to a case which had come before the British Court of Appeal in which it was held that there could be no contributory negligence on the part of a pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing when involved in a motor accident. "Do these crossings give sufficient warning to the motorist? lam sure they do not," he stated. He suggested that something similar to the Belisha Beacon be introduced so that motorists should have a reasonable opportunity of knowing where crossings were. They could in this way assist the Minister in his safety campaign. Mr. K. Wilson (South Canterbury) said that painted lines would not last on tar surfaces. Every country was having the same trouble. It was difficult to suggest anything feasible which had not already been tried. The only thing which had given any measure of success was a "stop-go" light for both pedestrians and motorists. The regulations had been in use in New Zealand only a short time, but they had reduced the number of accidents to pedestrians. As far as he could see most of the crossings were in the wrong place. . . , . A sub-committee was appointed to discuss proposed improvements for pedestrian crossings, which could be forwarded to the Minister. SUPPORT FOB MINISTER. "Automobile associations should support the Minister of Transport in his endeavours to make the roads safer," said Mr. B. Falck (Canterbury). Mr. Ansell said that the Minister had made a fair appeal to associations and he should be given assistance. Something in the nature of a friendly letter could be sent to offending memA motion that the matter be referred to the executive of the union, and that it confer with the North Island Union, was carried. __^_____