TRAFFIC TRIALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24759, 6 December 1943, Page 2

TRAFFIC TRIALS

JAY-WALKING IN CITY CONFUSION ON FOOTPATHS Jay-walking 011 the footpaths is changing the pedestrian's progress in city streets, particularly Queen Street, into a hazardous adventure. Although the City Council by-laws require people to keep to the left on the lootpaths and foroid loitering, many pedestrians increasingly persist in walking on the incorrect side or in standing about in the way of others. Movement on a city footpath, especially at a busy period, results in a series of minor collisions and accidents. However strictly a person adheres to the simple traffic rules, lie is bound to meet others at every few yards approaching unconcernedly 011 their incorrect side. It he is not dodging these thoughtless people, he is probably picking his way carefully round groups who are idly gossiping 111 the middle of the path. Quick wits and nimble feet are essential for anything like rapid progress. The quickest and the nimblest, however, can rarely get by without some "minor assault" being perpetrated upon them. Thrusts from umbrellas, blows from baskets and stabs from angular elbows provide conditions that can best be compared with running a gauntlet. Added discomfort is gj veu to the adventure by the possibility of tripping over a perambulator, or a small boy dangling insecurely from his mother's hand. Police occasionally pass along the footpaths, moving gossipcrs to the kerbs or instructing others to keep to the correct side while walking. Stricter control and some method of educating the public in traffic rules appear necessary, however, if present conditions are to be improved.