PEDESTRIAN WAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1938, Page 26

PEDESTRIAN WAYS

CROSSING PROBLEM

EDUCATION NEEDED

VIEWS OF MOTORISTS

The use and misuse of 'pedestrian frossings in the city was the subject pf some discussion at the annual meeting of the Automobile Association, Wellington, last evening, when the opinion was expressed that steps should he taken by the City Council to mark the crossings more clearly and also to educate the "public moire thoroughly in their use. The matter was introduced by the president of the association (Sir Alexander Roberts) in his opening remarks. He hoped,, said Sir Alexander, that some system could be evolved which would make the pedestrian crossings more apparent both to motorists and pedestrians.' There was no doubt that in their present stete, many of the crossings were a source of confusion, particularly to visitors. This applied chiefly after the newness of the markings had worn off and on wet nights ■when visibility was poor. He suggested that the executive of the association could very well take up with the council the question of improving the marking of the crossings. Pedestrian crossings themselves were ,an excellent idea, but in Wellington, at least, they were not used as; much as they should be. This was due chiefly to the fact that the public 'we're not" yet fully educated in their, use. He ; suggested, in this connection, that the City Council might continue its practice of putting traffic officers on duty at the crossings from time to time. FADING ENTHUSIASM.

The chairman of the executive committee of the association (Mr. E. A. Batt) strongly- supported these observations. Pedestrian crossings in^New Zealand constituted a problem for, iri the Dominion, the public were not as well educated in their use as was the case abroad. In Wellington the authorities appeared to start off with a lot of control and enthusiasm which faded but like the crossings themselves. There must be a consistent and not a spasmodic effort Unfortunately the control and use of the crossings appeared to be slipping and people were not employing them as they should do. He thought it was the duty of the City Council to impose a stricter discipline upon pedestrians in the use of the crossings—he did not suggest, however, that motorists also should not be subjected to discipline in the matter. WILLESTON STREET TYPE. 'X: Mr. H. H. Sterling also supported the remarks of the two previous speakers. He felt that the crossings left a good deal to be desired both in the matter pt their design and their markings. He thought that the type of crossing laid •down in Willeston Street was the most satisfactory in the city, although it was far from perfect. It was necessary to educate both pedestrians and motorists to observe the pedestrian crossings. In some places the crossings were well ob,,served, but in others, particularly that in Bowen Street leading to Parliament .Buildings, the crossings were ignored. Referring to pedestrian crossings ? abroad, Mr. Batt said that his inipres- ; sion was that the Beli-ftia Beacons v were the most satisfactory form of signs. They had created a good deal -; of pomment, but the fact remained that they were very satisfactory. The , trouble was that there was no warn-

ing given a motorist of the presence

of a pedestrian crossing; the beacons, however, eliminated this objection because they could not possibly be. overlooked.