POOR RESPONSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 151, 23 December 1944, Page 8

POOR RESPONSE

APPEAL FOR STREET MANNERS

It is possible that the hope expressed by the Mayor, that Wellington will enjoy Christmas without a street tragedy will be fulfilled, but not unless pedestrians are extra careful to make up for the lack of consideration and carelessness shown them by too large a proportion of motorists. - The theory is that pedestrians cross streets at right angles and use marked crossing places where there are crossings; and, on the other hand, that motorists have the general right of way except at crossings, where they must give way to pedestrians. Both sides have the theory wrongly; the pedestrian does not necessarily cross at right angles or at the right place, and a lot of drivers may not have heard about pedestrians' rights at crossing places.

There is also the theory and practice of good manners at controlled intersections. These are well applied, because oversight is exercised there. Oversight was -remarkably lacking elswhere in Wellington this morning.

A "Post" reporter tried out his rights at marked crossing places between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place and back by the back streets. To give himself a fair go he set his own conditions; Normal hearing, eyesight, wind, and limb; unaccompanied by two youngsters having a great time in town with mother; and, as an essential safeguard, a recognition that regulation rights are not worth a tin of* fish against a moving car', taxi, or truck.

Leaying out of consideration the-last essential condition, and making a fair count of winning points (speed and weight of vehicle, apparent determination of the parties to the crossing, etc.) tragedy overtook him in a variety of fashions, deaths, fractures, bruises, and lacerations, with, in no instance, fatal injury to the attacking car, taxi, or truck.

On one crossing only had he. any rights to get over unbustled, unhooted, unpalpitated. At the Jervois Quay crossing, right outside the traffic office, a long stream of traffic offered to roll him out flat if he had been such a fool to attempt to get over; at the Mercer-Wakefield Street crossings equally bad' injuries were available, but in greater variety, for the traffic there runs from various angles.

He crossed Willis Street well away from the marked crossing, at an angle. It made no difference anyhow-