ONCOMING TRAFFIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 8

ONCOMING TRAFFIC

SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS RIGHT-HAND RULE ADVOCATED (Peb United Pees? Association) PALMERSTON N., October 31. During the hearing of a claim for damages in the Supreme Court arising from injury to a pedestrian by a motor car overtaking him at night, reference was made to the English common law that pedestrians using the highways should observe the right.; hand rule, whereby they, have the traffic approaching them on their side of the road. Counsel suggested that the time would come when a jury in New Zealand would have to find that pedestrians must walk on the right-hand side in this country. The Chief Justice *(Sir Michael Myers) said it would have to be a matter of legislation if it was desired to establish such a law. It was not in his province to advise upon matters of legislation, but it was likely that such a law would be desirable. If such a law had operated in England ; for a very long time it must be a very sound one. If one jury after another added a rider expressing a favourable opinion on the proposal that might compel further attention to it. On the jury returning-a Verdict it added a rider that steps should bp taken for legislation to be passed ensuring that pedestrians keep to the right hand side of the road in order to face oncoming traffic on open roads. The Chief Justice promised to convey the recommendation to the proper quarters.