MOTORISTS AND TRAFFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18130, 30 June 1922, Page 8

MOTORISTS AND TRAFFIC

LIGHTED TRAM-STOP SIGNS.

QUESTION OF SAFETY-ZONES

The suggestions made recently by the Auckland Automobile Association' in regard to the lighting of the new traffic signals and raised safety zones at ni»;ht and other matters, were reported upon to the City Council last evening by tht> traffic inspector. The association said that motorists experience the greatest difficulty in seeing the traffic signals after dusk and recommended that lights be 'affixed in such a way as to light the signals after sunset. While enthusiastically approving the raised safety zones the association considered they should be lighted all night, as otherwise they formed an obstruction in the road which might at some time cause a serious accident. The traffic inspector stated both these matters were now under consideration by the Works Committee. _ . The association referred to the difficulty motorists had when following a tram in knowing when it was going to stop, especially in districts where they were not acquainted with the tramway stopping ulaoes. Frequently the trsmears pulled upquite suddenly and before the motorist was aware of the stopping-place he had over-run the tramcar. The traffic inspector reported that last month he recommended the necessity of erecting illuminated tram-stop signs for the guid ance of both motorist and pedestrian, it being a difficult matter to locate the Btops unless a person was familiar witfc a particular thoroughfare. Compulsory tram-stops would prove a safety measure and would be less confusing to the motorist than the preawit system. The association said motorists were aware that at stopping places there was a white mark on the tramway poles, but it was not reasonable to expect them to keep then* eyes on all the tram poles as tbey drove along the streets. It suggested that'an automatic disc in the day time and a small light at night, at the back of the tramcar, worked from at button at the driver's end, would enable motorists to know when a tramcar was about to stop. The itraffic inspector said he was of opinion th& adoption of illuminated twnwstop signs and compulsory tram-stops would meet the difficulty. It was decided to reply in regard to the lighting of .traffic signals and safety zones* "that the matter was already in hand The Mayor said the council should have had the safety zones lighted before this, but difficulty had been encountered. The other matters were -referred to the Tramways Committee, the acting-manager of tramways to report.