"KEEP TO THE LEFT."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

"KEEP TO THE LEFT."

PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORS.

NEED FOE UNIFORMITY.

A matter which has been concerning a number of motorists and pedestrians for some time .was mentioned at a meeting of the New Zealand executive of the Automobile Union in Wellington, when a! letter was received from the Wair&rapa Association, which pointed out that it was noticeable in various parte of the country that pedestrian traffic on the footpaths was sometimes asked to keep to the right and sometimes to the left. The union was asked to endeavour to bring the matter before the Municipal Assooia tion , with a request that where by-laws or regulations were brought into operation all traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular, should be made to keep to the left for the following reason :— That motorists when on the road are expected to keep to the left, but as soon as they walk on the footpath they are expected to keep to the right, and passing on the left being more natural to them confusion naturally ensues. Also that a motorist crossing a footpath intersection and meeting a motorist is expected to pass on the left and keeps to the left, whereas & pedestrian in most cases being, requested to keep to the right makes lie possibility of accidents likely. The secretary reported that he had ■written to the Municipal Association witb regard to the matter, It was decided to also write to the Counties Association on the subject and all affiliated associations, with a request that they bring pressure to bear on their respective local Bodies with a view -of getting a by-law enforced " Keep to the left" for pedestrians. The secretary added that the rule was in force both in Sydney and in London with apparent satisfaction.