USE OF ROADS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 19 August 1929, Page 4

USE OF ROADS.

RIGHT'S Oh pedestrians. CORONER'S COMMENTS ON THE GENERAL POSITION.

[By Telegraph— l-ress Association.J WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. That pedestrians have a right to the use of the roads was stated bv the coroner at an inquest held to-day regarding tiie deatli of Airs. Florence Alton, aged 63, through being struck by a motor-car driven oy Frederick C. b a.ser near Akatarawa Junction, on main road, Upper Hutt. Evidence was given by Robert Anderson that laser’s car was passing that of witness at the time and the visibility was bad, it being neither daylight nor dark. Airs. Alton’s sister stated that, seeing the lights of what appeared to be several ears travelling abreast, she and Airs. Alton stood still for fear of being run over. Airs. Alton was wheeling a bicycle, which was not lighted. Constable Joss said baser had made a statement to him in which he said that he was .sure the bicycle was being wheeled on the bitumen and that at least one woman was on the bitumen.

The coroner. Air. J. S. Barton, S.AI., said that in view of the evidence lie did not think it necessary for baser to give evidence. He had no difficulty in returning bis verdict. It was that Airs;, Alton was killed by injuries received in a collision between her and a motor-car driven by Faser.

“That is my complete finding on all points that are raised by the evidence given before me at this inquiry, but, speaking of the general application of what I deem to lae an elementary principle of law, I think it right and necessary to add a rider that may act for the protection of the public. It is that pedestrians have a right to use the roads, including the bitumen portion of the roads, and, especially in country districts where there are no footpaths, they must lie taken into account as persons likely to be there.”