TRAFFIC SAFETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26200, 10 July 1946, Page 4

TRAFFIC SAFETY

THE LEVIATHAN CORNER SUPPORT FROM MOTORISTS A decision to support the proposal of the chief traffic inspector, Mr E. H. Barrett, for the placing of flashing bollards as a safety device for traffic at the corner of Cumberland street and Lower High street was made by the executive of the Automobile Association (Otago) at its meeting last night. Varying opinions were expressed as to the best way of improving the corner, but it was generally agreed that the scheme proposed by Mr Barrett should be given a trial. “ I doubt whether it will be possible to place the bollards between the tracks without having the rails altered,” said the president, Mr H. S. Reid, “ and owing to the trolley bus proposal there is not much likelihood of that being done. It may be possible, however, to place the bollards outside the rails on the south side and thus divert traffic slightly right and left in crossing Lower High street. It is an experiment which, I think, we should support.”

Mr H. Archbold: The accident last week was caused by the sun shining in the truck driver’s eyes. Bollards won’t stop that.

Mr Reid: No, but it will slow drivers down.

Mr Archbold: I drive across that intersection about six times a day, and I don’t think it is a dangerous corner. There is a clear view in every direction.

Mr L. M. Wright suggested that an improvement might be effected if the north-bound tram stop were shifted from Dowling and Burlington streets to a position outside the Otago Daily Times office, and the south-bound stop to the Early Settlers’ Hall. He thought that, if that were done, most of ffhe acci-

dents would be averted. It seemed that where there was a wide open space it was more dangerous than a restricted space, because drivers were not so cautious, said Mr P. W. Breen. He thought that the High street-Cumberland street corner was more dangerous than the CumberlandStuart street corner. On Mr Breen’s motion, it vfas decided to support Mr Barrett’s proposal.