Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, SEPT. 12, 1932. SAFETY ON ROADS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 242, 12 September 1932, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, SEPT. 12, 1932. SAFETY ON ROADS.

The discussion which took place at the North Island Motor Union’s Conference, last week, on the question of road safety was interesting- from two angles —the conviction expressed—and widely held —that pedestrians should be educated to the proper use of the hig-hway, and the view of another speaker that “missionary work should be done from within” the Union. Much undoubtedly may be said from both sides. In pressing- for a campaign on national lines to preserve life from highway accidents, Mr E. A. Batt, of the Wellington Automobile Association, remarked that New Zealand was lagging behind other countries in educating pedestrians, although he admitted some motorists were culpable. On the other hand, Mr F. W. Johnston., of Christchurch, was emphatic that motorists themselves required to be educated to reduce the loss of life from road accidents. In their “Safety First” campaigns the Motor Associations are rendering the community a valuable service, and it is one that cannot fail to bring good results. Neither can it cease, for the problem of yesterday has been intensified to-day, and will increase greatly in the future. By commencing- in the schools, the officials are attacking- the matter in the right direction, for lessons in road safety learned early should not be forgotten in the adolescent or adult stage. Pedestrians who hear of their “iniquities” every time motorists gather in conference may, perhaps, become impatient that little is said about the other party, but they are apt to overlook the fact that Automobile Associaions make it their business to “correct” wilfully negligent drivers, and there are traffic officers' to take action and the Courts to administer the laws if broken. Pedestrians are not subject to legal process if they wander about the highway. After all, it is a common-sense matter. The instinct of self-preservation is deeply ingrained in most people, and the change that has come about in highway traffic demands greater care on the part of all who frequent the roads, particularly the pedestrian who fails to realise the time is past when they can be used for a conversational walk without heed to others. That is courting disaster. The proposed new regulations of the Transport Department have been drafted, it is believed, because of the increase in motor accidents. These also were discussed at the Conference here and opposition expressed to a fixed speed limit. The Commissioner proposes 40 miles an hour. While skilful drivers on good roads can exceed this speed with safety, in

the interest of the general public, and the wear and tear on roads, there should be no objection to this limit. The draft regulations bring the question of road safety prominently forward. Other countries have this problem which is accentuated in the cities. In Sydney recently, in the interest of pedestrians, there were framed regulations under the Metropolitan Traffic Act which regulate their, conduct in going from place to place within the city. They are designed for safety and convenience. It has been said that the pedestrian has as much right to the road as any vehicle. A Sydney journal points out that one hundred years ago, in England, Lord Chief Justice Denman laid it down “that a man has the right to walk in the road if he pleases. It is a way for foot-passengers as well as carriages.” Then lie added significantly: “But he had better not, especially at night, when carriages are passing along.” The statement regarding a pedestrian’s right is, therefore, a half-truth. The same journal remarks that in the use of the highway “there must be give and take and mutual prudence. The theory that an Englishman’s home is his castle is as full of loopholes as the dangerous idea that he has only to stand in the middle of the road to hold up traffic.” Recognition of these facts would no doubt help pedestrians in the avoidance of accidents.