BUS TRAFFIC DANGERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19291, 1 April 1926, Page 7

BUS TRAFFIC DANGERS

Sir, —I should like to draw your attention to a serious state of affairs in connection with the running of buses using the Great South Road. It appears competition between bus companies, at one time a healthy rivalry, has now degenerated into a bitter struggle for supremacy, the comfort and safety of the passengers being relegated to the' background. Racing between rival buses is now quite common, and the devices used by drivers to get in front of their opponents and block them at the various stops are as dangerous as they are unsportsmanlike. I have seen buses extricate themselves from such a position by passing on the wrong side, with hardly an inch to spare between a bus on one .side and a telegraph pole on the other. Tho driving in such cases may be admirable, but it is not a fair thing to the travelling public. The danger involved in these reckless contests is by no means imaginary. On a recent afternoon four buses, in one of which my wife ;ind three young children were travelling, engaged in the usual struggle on the Great South Road, the outcome being that two of them, while travelling abreast, came together violently on two occasions. How a serious • accident was averted is a miracle. My wife, with the other passengers, alighted and continued the journey by tram, with nerves badly shaken at the occurrence. I think you will agree that this is carrying things too far. The buses are serving a useful purpose-' 1, for one, patronise them freely—and itis a pity that their service should be marred by the conduct to which I have referred. " In order to reassure their patrons, and thus keep the trade that they have built up, the proprietors should take prompt action in this matter. Safett First.