INTERSECTION DANGERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 May 1926, Page 2

INTERSECTION DANGERS.

NEW BY-LAW ADOPTED. THE FRENCH CUSTOM. AUCKLAND, May 14. The loug-diseussed question of law for traffic at intersections is settled in Auckland. The City Council' has adopted the French custom, which says that a vehicle must give way to another approaching on its right. ' Mr G. It. Hogan, chief traffic inspector, reported that there was an impression among motorists that traffic on the main road had the right; of way over traffic entering from side streets. That was erroneous, however, for there was no by-law or regulation in New Zealand dealing with the matter. The adoption of the “off side” rule would clear the road of all misunderstanding at intersections, and the need of its introduction was obvious to all users of the roads. Many collisions had occurred at intersections through approaching drivers showing a disinclination to give way to each other. The French rule was that if two cars approached an intersection at the same time the one advancing to- the other driver’s right should be given precedence whatever the relative width of the roads. Mr Hogan therefore recommended that a by-law be made defining the “off side” rule of the road on lines similar to that of the French law. The adoption of the rule would ensure safety by defining the responsibilities of motorists as to the right of way, and would have the effect of steadying up traffic at intersections where there was no officer on point control. This would also prove a protection to human life. •Some time ago, when giving judgment in a collision case, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., suggested that the French rule be adopted. “I think that is a sane rule, and I am very pleased that it has been adopted,” said Mir Hunt to-day. We badly needed a law of this kind at intersections. “It had to be thoroughly understood,” remarked Mr Hunt, “that nobody had the right of way. To his mind the law was particularly good for Auckland. If it is termed ‘off side’ rule it is going to he very confusing, now that we are not dealing with horses. The average motorist knows nothing about horses, and is bound to be confused Iby terms ‘near side’ and ‘off side.’ I think that it should be known as the right-hand side rule,” observed Mr Hunt.

in his opinion, the rule should be made universal. “Another point is the fact that it will help ns to a great extent in the courts,” he continued. “It will make it far easier for ns to find who is responsible for any accident, and it will save considerable time. That is one good law brought in,” he concluded. “The next- step is to make all heavy traffic keep as close to the left as possible.”