THE RULE THE PATH. TO THE EDITOR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5951, 23 March 1880, Page 5

THE RULE THE PATH. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —I notice in j our issue of March 18 a letter on the above subject, criticising one of mine which appeared on March 10. My engagements have, prevented me from replying sooner, but I trust you will allow me a little space in order to show that my view of the case is not so erroneous as your correspondent, “ 8. Ellis,” would make out. He states that if a person were crowded off the footpath be would be more likely to escape accident while in the roadway, if the horses and vehicles were going the same way that he was than if they were coming in the opposite direction. _ ■ I confess I cannot see this, but believe the contrary would be the case, as a man is much more likely to be run over by a horse or vehicle coming behind him than by one coming in front of him. This view of the case was strangely corroborated on the very day on which “ S. Ellis ” penned his letter. On that day I had a very narrow escape from being run over by two horsemen who came galloping up behind me. I was on foot in Colombo road, carrying my theodolite, and stood still for a moment to adjust the telescope,- when the two horsemen dashed past me, one on either side. They were so close I could almost have touched them, but as some gravel carts were passing along the middle of the road, making a rumbling noise, I did not hear them till they were actually beside me. If I bad become aware of my perilous position a second or two sooner, I should probably have started and swerved to the riaht dr loft, and very likely have been run over. Now, had these horsemen been coming along the road in front of me, I should have seen them in good time and moved out of their way. But leaving possibilities and coming to facts, jt is a fact that in the United States the rules of the road and footpath are the same, and the result has not been at all disastrous, but quite the contrary. Although the Americans adopted the right principle, viz. that of uniformity, they ,made u mistake in the details,, by causing all traflio on roads and footpaths to keep to the right, instead of the left, and I suppose it is now too late to remedy the defect. I, do not know what rules are observed in the adjoining Dominion of Canada, but perhaps some of your subscribers may be able to supply the information, Indeed; it would bis very interesting to knoW whdt the rules are in (Efferent parts of the world, as it might turn out that the rule I advocate is not a new idea at all, but an old established practice in some part of the , world. In conclusion, 1 would again urge that a very good reason exists why vehicles should keep to the left, and therefore, if we wish to prevent accidents in the roadway and jostling on the footpaths by having one uniform rule for all, that rule should be KEEP TO THE LEFT, not write on this subject for the

argument, 1 nor {with'the intention :pf saying.funny.things. ~I- merely .wish to draw public attention to it while there is yet time toadopta uniform rule, and before contrary rules become' established, '