Pedestrian Crossings

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 298, 16 December 1937, Page 6

Pedestrian Crossings

Sir, —I am pleased to see that the local Automobile Association have endorsed the ideas expressed by me some time ago in regard to the position of pedestrians at crossings. I pointed out that all the uncertainty existing at present as to who has right-of-way could be avoided by applying the offside rule, which is the same as the motorists have to recognise themselves, and that is, you must give way to traffic approaching from the right. Applying this rule to pedestrians, it would work out as follows:—Take, for instance, a pedestrian on the Bank of New Zealand corner wishing to cross to Goldfinch and Cousins’ corner: If a car was coining down Kangitikei street towards the square, the pedestrian would have to give way. When the car had passed the pedestrian couivx proceed to the “egg” in the centre of the road. If a ear was approaching from any part of the Square he would be able to continue his crossing and the car would have to give way. The whole point is this: If a car is approaching from the left, the pedestrian has right-of-way. The general adoption of this simple rule would eliminate all uncertainty, and both motorists and pedestrians would know where they are.—l am, etc., MODEL T. [We are afraid our correspondent has misread the statement made at the meeting of the Automobile Association, which was as follows: “Pedestrians seemed to think they had first right to the crossings when approaching from the motorists’ right-hand side, whereas it was only those on the left who had that privilege.”—Ed., “Times.”]