THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE ROAD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 November 1927, Page 3

THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE ROAD

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Tho very shocking motor accident in Wellington on Sunday last again calls attention to the urgent need that prevails to-day for proper use of our roads by all using them. . 1 make no reference to the facts of that very deplorable happening other than that the motorist was apparently trying to dodge a cyclist, and the car swerved and went down a steep bank for a distance of over 120 feet. .-

' Every day, in oijr quiet little city, accidents are very narrowly averted, due in most instances to people making improper use of the roads. In rounding a corner, for instance, on your proper side it is bv no means uncommon to come full tilt into someone rounding the same corner on his or her wrong side. Often it is more by good luck than good management that accidents are avoided, and "good luck” doesn’t always last. All using the roads, whether they be motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, have their obligations as well as their rights, and children particularly should bo properly instructed. We live in a new age to-day, and our streets everywhere are a totally different proposition from what they were 10 or 15 years ago. In this very town we often see people in groups standing well on the roadway, often at street corners, for prolonged periods discussing the weather, finance, or the early rising Act. These conversations could very easily be conducted somewhere off the road. There are plenty of tea rooms and bars about. And as regards the rights of the footpath practically no attention at all is paid to this important matter in this city. My main point, however, is this—as things stand at present in the event of an accident in which a motorist is concerned, on the face of it the motorist is the man who is liable to get all the blame and the punishment, too. Quite often such an accident may be due to circumstances entirely beyond his control, and provoked by the carelessness or the inattention of the other party. Personally I don’t drive a car or motor bike, but 1 do believe in a fair deal for all.— 1 aTn? etC- ’ FAIRPLAY. Nelson, Bth Nov.