Traffic Control in Hastings

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 105, 5 May 1937, Page 2

Traffic Control in Hastings

PROHIBITION OT PARKING INSPECTOR’S SUGGESTION From Our Own Correspondent. HASTINGS, May 4. •*1 am convinced, Irom my snort experience here, that it will be necessary in the very near future to alleviate tb* congested traffic of to-day for the council to consider the question of prohibiting the parking of vehicles in the business area, but not so as to prevent a vehicle from stopping to pick up or set down passengers or goods, and in addition to prohibit vehicles from making complete turns at the intersections on tho main streets,” states the Borough Traffic Inspector, Mr D. Mann, in the annual report of the Traffic Department of the Bastings Borough Council. ! “In presenting my first annual report, I take this opportunity of placing before you several facts which have appeared to mo to bo detrimental to the public safety and t o the control and regulation of traffic generally,” he said. “I refer especially to the congested traffic conditions which exist iu tho business area of the town on the afternoon and evening of the late shopping night, and in defining the cause of this congestion, I am forced to the conclusion that it is caused mainly from three directions. “Firstly, by tho parked vehicles in the street, respecting the width ot roadway available for moving traffic. Secondly, by the unexpected driving out of the parked vehicle, causing the moving stream of traffic to keep further out than necossary, thereby leaving space for only one line of traffic in cither direction and absolutely preventing any slow moving vehicle from being overtaken, and thirdly, by vehicles making complete turns at tho intersection* on the main street, and seriously interrupting the normal flow of traffic. “AU these factors combined slow up the stream of traffic, create danger to the publio aud cause serious congestion. “In connection with pedestrians, it was decided in November last year to mark down pedestrian crossings at tho main intersections and although the public have not had any great length of time in which to appreciate tho value of these crossings it is evident that they are being made greater use of than before,” continued Mr. Mann. “In the future it will be expected that the pedestrians will comply more fully with the regulations regarding crossing the street and to enable this enforcement to be successfully carried out, I would suggest that the traffic car be equipped with a loudspeaker unit. This additional equipment is of great value in the control of all traffic, but particularly pedestrian and cycle traffic. In conclusion, I would respect* fully ask for your wholehearted sup port in bringing into operation the pro visioiis as outlined above.”