PEDESTRIANS’ RIGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 20128, 19 March 1929, Page 11

PEDESTRIANS’ RIGHTS

AT RDAD CROSSINGS What rights has a, pedestrian who finds himself half-way across the street intersection when the traffic signal ahead turns from green to red!'' The matter has been decided by the Federal Court of Appeals, District of Columbia (U.S.A.). Emphasising the importance of the issue in this day of grr wing traffic and automatic “stop” and “ go ” lights, the court (according to a report in the ‘Christian Science .Monitor ’) rules 1 hat responsibility for safety in such ca-es rests on the motor car driver.

The pedestrian who has started across the street when tho light flashed flic signal of safely, hut who found the beacon change half-way across, still has the right of way. MotorFts wlto fail to respect this right, arc liable to ho found guilty of negligence in case of accident. Furthermore, pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections, except those controlled by officers or signal devices, “The condition of traffic in mu crowded streets.” declared Justice van Orsdcl. “ is such that travel by pedestrians is at least difficult and dangerous. If their absolute right to cuter upon a, crossing when the signal permits is not sustained, they would be almost without protection. Entering upon the invitation they cannot be charged with contributory negligence if the signal switches when they arc in the street. Caught in this position, the obligation rests upon the drivers of the motor cars not only to observe the situation, but to wait until tho crossing is clear.” The rule announced, according to tho judge, .may appear-harsh to motorists, inasmuch as thev arc held responsible for accidents, even though the green signal to “go ” is on, but he adds that, conditions in modern streets demand such a rule for the protection of pedestrians.