STREET ACCIDENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19249, 13 August 1924, Page 5

STREET ACCIDENTS.

DISCUSSION BY MOTOR CLUB. SUGGESTED TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS. At tlio nicotine of the Otago Motor Club last nigh) a. considerable amount of correspondence was read with regard to the number of street accidents which have recently occurred, and sev.eral suggestions were made as to means that might tie taken to render traffic safer for the pedestrian and motorist alike. It was evident that the members of the chib were desirous of bringing about an improved condition of things, and were very willing to co-operate in that direction

Mr J. A.. Roberts wrote stating that in. view of the fatal accidents that had occurred lately in the city, he would suggest that the matter should bo fully discussed, and, If possible, suggestions made to the authorities for the better control of pedestrian and wheeled traffic. It seemed almost impossible for the civil and police authorities to work harmoniously, and ho felt that if the dub had a conference with both parties that a satisfactory arrangement could be come to. So far as Dunedin was concerned, it appeared to be the only one of tho four large centres where pedestrians wandered about the streets without taking the necessary precautions as to approaching traffic. There was also the question ol pedestrians standing about Princes street blocking tho thoroughfare, _ and in many cases refusing in a most defiant maimer to give way to traffic. So far as that particular danger was concerned, the remedy would be simple if the police would'take action. Tramway safety zones should be erected at various points, especially at the Stock Exchange and Custom House, and alsb at the corner of Rattray street —passengers to keep within the zones or on the pavements. Passengers should bo prevented from leaving tramoars before they came to a standstill by the infliction of a heavy penalty. In regard to the movements of motor cars on the streets, he had many times noticed motorists doing what would in large cities abroad /cause serious accidents; that was turning to the right without giving any signal of their intention to do so. and he was of the opinion that provision for proper signals should bo included in the new Motor Regulations Act. As to crossing or entering streets at intersections, there' was apparently no rule in regard to this, and the manner in whies cars entered and crossed intersections of streets was most dangerous, and only added to the difficulties of a motorist when driving along a main thoroughfare. The English rule was that where a motorist was approaching from the right, such motorist must give way. If that rule were also inserted in the motor regulations it would fix the blame for any accidents that might occur. It would have been noticed that very few motorists gave warning of their approach to a crossing by sounding the horn. That should bo rigidly earned out. Children were one of the greatest dangers to the motorists. It had been stated that children were taught to keen a good look-out. before crossing a street, but it was doubtful whether the subject was brought before thorn in a proper manner. The use by school children of trolleys and other means of amusement in the main thoroughfares should be prohibited. It appeared to him that if in the main thoroughfares permanent notices were erected drawing the attention of tho public to the danger of crowing the streets without looking to see if traffic was approaching it would have a beneficial effect. It had been suggested that owing to the congested traffic between Moray place arm Manse street that certain traffic should be diverted to side streets. That did not appear to lie necessary, as a congestion of wheeled traffic in itself was not dangerous if proper police control was exorcised. It also appeared as though the energies _of the authorities were confined to regulating motor traffic instead of all classes of vehicles. It was hardly to be expected that any law would prevent accidents, and it was only by careful driving on tho part of the motorists and the equal care of the pedestrian that accidents could be avoided. Until the public could be educated up to the point of exercising care and vigilance would accidents occur. , A later communication from Mr Roberts stated that he had overlooked another point in regard to street intersection which was in universal use abroad. That was that a white disc be painted, or set into the centre of the intersections round which all vehicles must turn when taking the road to the right. That would prevent cutting off corners on the wrong side and prevent collisions or possible running down of pedestrians. The painted discs should be placed at all intersections in George street Princes street, King Edward road, Cargill road, and in- the business area. He would further suggest that if a conference could be arranged between the City Council, the police, and the Motor Club, that die club draw up a statement of suggestions to be submitted to tlie conference. Mr A. E. Ar.sell, referring to the Temuka by-law cases which wore successfully defended by tho club, wrote that one of the most important facts established was that no car was under control at speeds less than 10 miles an hour. At lower speeds efficient steering was most difficult, and quick acceleration, which was often necessary to avoid accidents, was impossible. Motorists were dearly entitled to maintain such speeds as world give tho driver comfortable control of the car he was driving. Mr E. D. Mosely, in giving his decision, had expressed his sympathy with local authorities in the endeavour to suppress reckless driving, and the club must be with him in that. He was satisfied .that generally speaking both the police and the local authorities wished to treat motorists reasonably, but unfortunately a small percentage of motorists persisted in reckless driving and made the task of just administration very difficult. The more the club’s influence was used to suppress reckless driving the more ready the local authority would be to treat motorists in a, reasonable manner. Reckless drivers were not only a menace to all users of the roads, but their selfish indulgence militated strongly against the interests and welfare of motoring in all its phases; therefore it was the duty of all motor organisations to use every effort to hare such offenders drastically dealt with. On , the other hand, many by-laws at present were absurd and nob necessary for tho protection of the public, a,nd it was the club’s duty to have these unreasonable restrictions removed. That, he ventured to say, could be done in most cases by presenting their case before the authorities concerned. He further considered that more efficient control of traffic could be obtained by more frequent use of the Motor Regulations Act, which deemed it an offence to “drive to the danger of the public.’’ By-laws were too inelastic. To restrict to a certain' speed, irrespective of the amount of traffic on the road, or which might reasonably be expected, was absurd. They as motorists must, however, as far as they reasonably could, assist in reducing the number of accidents that happened in the dominion'. These were far too numerous. They should confer with the police and local authority in an endeavour to control more efficiently all vehicular traffic. The Chairman (Mr W. Wright) said that the well-behaved motorist was getting the finger of scorn painted at him. During the last few weeks there had been quite a number of accidents, and some of these might have been the fault of the motorist. There were a number of accidents that did not appear in the newspapers. The time had arrived when there should be some, restriction of tho manner in which cyclists were allowed to ride. A man was not allowed to have a passenger on Lis motor bicycle. He had seen on 'several occasions recently a motor cyclist with a friend behind him. They would see from tho letters that suggestions were made as to endeavouring to have a conference with the local authority and Jho police. Whether it would be better to'have the conference in Dunedin, or arrange to _ liold them throughout. New Zealand, lie ch’d not; know. The position had become so acute that all well -behaved motorists should endeavour to do something to stop what, was almost an epidemic. Accidents might be caused by motorists speeding 1 , but (here was Jio doubt that, in regard to school children tho rule of the road should lie emphasised. Ho had had a look at the Education Act and the instructions contained very little as to traffic information. He believed that if schools had diagrams as to the rules of the road, etc., the accidents would be materially reduced.

Mr A. I. Wood said ho thought the suggestions contained in the letters should bo noted upon, and that tlrey -should appoint three or four members to meet the local authorities and the police. They knew those had been accidents for -which speeding was somewhat to blame, bait there should be a regulation of the pedestrian traffic. Be thought that at a conference they could stress points and rectify matters. People, would not budge out of the road at the Stock Exchange. A matter that could be discussed at a conference was the by-laws. Ho proceeded to refer to some of these which needed amending, and said that they wanted to discuss matters with the City Council and endeavour to got reasonable by-laws passed. Ho moved that they appooint three delegates to endeavour to bring about a conference.

Mr Passmore expressed the opinion that; the traffic wanted to be bettor regulatodt and moved that Messrs A. E. Ansell, J. ; A. Roberts, mid A. I. Wood be appointed to endeavour to arrange for a conference." Mr IL Reid expressed the opinion that the greatest offenders were the ovcliste. Mr A. D. Fid gar emphasised the necessity of having safety zones, and said that people should not be allowed to stand about so close to the corners of streets. - Mr J. J. Purdie suggested that the attention of the police should be called td' the danger of children hanging on behind ears. The motions projiosed were agreed to. ■ t It was decided to write to the Head* Masters] Association on the subject of Oliild- - ren being bettor instructed with regard to the rule of the road. • -1*