Rights of Pedestrians At Street Crossings

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 10

Rights of Pedestrians At Street Crossings

NEW REGULATION WORRIES MOTOR EXECUTIVE. As representing tho motoring public of Palmerston North and district, the executive of the Automobile Associa tion (Manawatu) is very much concern od over the new regulation which will give pedestrians prior right-of-way on their own marked crossings at intersections. When tho matter was discussed last evening, members felt that unless tho city council was prepared to institute a system of traflic control with pointsmen or lights, motorists were faced with the situation of being held up for iuiig periods at busy intersections. Mr. C. N. Rabone declared thal in Palmberston North the situation would be particularly conflicting be cause of the maze of crossings around the Bquaro and witn that opinion the president, Air. N. 11. Mackie, concurred. The latter added that it point cd to the need for pointsmen. Mr. M. A. Eliott thought the new regulations would bo unworkable in that so long as pedestrians were using the crossings, motor traffic would bo at a standstill and that might bo in definitely. Mr. Rabon© said the idea was quite contrary to that adopted in London where the pedestrians were held up to let motor traffic through. At the BnnK of New Zealand in Palmerston North on Friday nights, ears would not be able to get through till after tho shops closed. Mr. Eliott: A man could stroll across at his leisure, if one wanted to take the regulation to its logical conclusion, and defy all motor traffic. Mr. E. R. B. Holben: Pointsmen will be absolutely necessary. Mr. Rabone: Mr. Heniple wants everybody to own a motor-car. When that day comes there will bo no pedestrians. Air. Eliott; There aro some people who deliberately try to make cars stop while they wander across. Air. Mackie thought, the city council should be asked to state what steps it proposes to take in the matter. Mr. Eliott: And the Transport Department asked to give its interpretation of the regulation. Air. Mackie: The regulation is perfectly clear. Mr. Holben urged members not to overlook the pedestrians' side of the situation. Ho could conceive of a long queue of cars preventing pedestrians from getting over a crossing. Mr. Mackie believed tho regulation would bo a fine one once the solution of it was found. It would save lives and get traffic away more quickly. The question is to be taken up with the city council.