FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21919, 1 October 1934, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC NEED FOR REGULATION Wi>h the growth of population is Auckland half a century ago the need for regulation of pedestrian traffic as well ms vehicles was becoming increasingly important. In a letter to the Hkhald of October 1,. 1884, a correspondent stated: — " 1 was pleased to see your remarks in a late issue recommending that a fixed, 'rule of the road' shoQld be adopted to avoid the jostling on our footpaths. We have already a wenknown rule of the road for and vehicles, which is 'keep to the left. My object in writing this letter is to recommend that the same rule should do adopted for the footpaths. " In London the ruie for the road is 'keep to the left,' while that for tho footpath is 'keep to the right, the result is that far more accidents occur than if both rules were alike. The Lor.don rule has been adopted, like a goo a many more old customs, for no goo a reason, and it would now be very din> cult to alter it. In this colony ought to adopt the more sensible plan, of having both rules alike; then the would be less jostling on the footpatu, and fewer accidents in the roadway.