CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2031, 18 August 1920, Page 3

CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

NEW REGULATIONS NEEDED. TO EDUCATE ROAD-T7SERS. Tu the Ckristehurch City Council •Chambers last evening, a conference, ■convened by the By-laws Committee of the council] was held to discuss traffic regulations. The various bodies concerned were represented, among those present being: Messrs F. Thompson (Tramway Board), J. S. Hawkes, R. W. Lochhead (Canterbury Automobile Association), H. H. McCaw, J. H. Drury, W. D. Turner (Drivers' Union), G. H. Wood, G. Dickinson (Taxi-owners), {Superintendent C. C. Warner (Fire Brigade), J. B. Merrett and W. 11. Benson (Pioneer Sports Club), and W. Mathieson, W. Hayward, H. H. Holland, T. 11. Butteriield,' A. J. Dendle, H. T. Armstrong, A. McKellar, K. E. Langley, H. Mcintosh aud E. D. Vincent. Mr J. A. Flesher was elected to the. chair. Mr Flesher said that the conference bad been called to obtain an interchange of ideas as to what means should be adopted for the better control of traffic on the streets. The necessity for some satisfactory arrangement became more apparent than ever with the er.ormous Increase in the motor industry- One or two experiments had been trie I. For instance, the post at the corner of Worcester Street aud Oxford Terrace was deemed to be not in the best position. Certainly that post had had the effect of educating the drivers, but it represented a menace to those using the road. Suggestions had been made that a permanent post should be placed at certaiu points. Where possible, it was thought that a raised device could be placed in the centre of street intersectiftns, which would make drivers go round it. So far as pedestrian traffic was concerned, there was a proposal that an area of white stone should be placed in places such as at the intersection of Colombo and Hereford Streets tt> indicate a footway over which pedestrians would be compelled to walk, instead of wandering, haphazard, across the thoroughfare. An effort would be made'to educate the foot passenger to something like an observance of a reasonable regulation. CALIFORNIA 'S LESSON.

. Mr Merrett stated that he had taken notice of the traffic, innovations in California. One was a white painted eone, which projected above the streets at corners about four inches. No vehicle was allowed to pass a stationary tram on a crowded street. Information was distributed throughout the cities regarding the by-laws, and he thought that something similar might easily be done in .Christchurch, vantage points being used for posting up the information. Short addresses were given to school children regarding streets and by-laws. Vehicles kept strictly to the correct side of the road, and made higher speed practicable. Safety zones were provided for pedestrians. If a vehicle carried materials projecting more than four feet it would carry a red flag about 15 inches square. Vehicle lights were officially tested. There were no fences to obstruct the view of drivers as there were here. Thirty-five miles was a permissible speed in some eases. INTERSECTION DOMES. Mr McKellar suggested, with reference to a white stone raised in the centre of street intersections, that an electric light could be hung above with a "keep to the left" or other sigu underneath. Mr Wood considered that a stone could be inlaid, but if it were raise'd vedestriaus would be stumbling over Mr Hawkes said the dome idea \j)as the be-t. If a stone were inlaid it would not lie noticed. Mr I>i' kin sou thought that a dome would lead to accidents with cars, cy. lists nn 1 everything else. He was opposed to posts and projections in the Streets, and there was no comparison between Christchurch and California where the streets were wide. A strong light hung above an intersection could be provided with a red glass with indications thereon. Mr Langlev said that motorists would avoid accidents if they slowed dowu at intersections. Mr Benson stated that the remarks passed were aimed at motorists only. IYdestrian and other traffic should be considered too. TRAMWAY LINES. Mr McCaw said the tramway lines about Christchurch were a disgrace to any local body. In many places they were .standing up four inches and represented a death trap. Mr Mathieson asked by what authority the Tramway Board was, allowed to lay its lines on the wrong side of the street. The chairman stated that the power was conferred by an Order-in-Couucil. He did not think that an indictment should be levelled against, the board. Mr Thompson (Tramway Manager) Bail that he would admit that the lines were not so good as they might be. but lie challenged one speaker to point out many places where the lines were four inches above the road level. In Sydney and Wellington it would be fona.] that the conditions were a great deal worse. The Christchurch board had spent more than four times last year what it had done previously on the tracks. Criticism levelled at the board was not always justified. The board had never been told why it was desired that cars should be stopped 23 feet short of an intersection. The eh airman said the reason was to afford a better view to drivers approaching. If the ears slopped at the building line it would not be so bad, but often the mark was overrun. A lot of difficulties could be disposed of if the trains observed a uniform rule of stopping. ■Mr Ilayward referred lo the dauger

represented by cyclists who observed no rule of the road, ami "took" corners at. every turn. There was a consensus of opinion against posts, but he felt they were a necessity. Mr McKellar said that if the police, in addition to two motor inspectors, were used to educate the public it would be found to have a good effect. He would throw out the hint to Mr Thompson that the road roller should not be used so much on the .metal near the rails, as that caused the sleepers to siiVk. No cars could be allowed to travel at 35 miles per hour in Christ church, as Mr Merrett suggested. POSTS DISAPPROVED OF. Mr McCaw moved that the meeting disapprove of posts or projections at street intersections. Mr Drury seconded the motion. Mr Hawkes moved as an amendment that a projecting "dome," with a. light above, be approved. Mr Merrett seconded the amendment. The amendment was carried, and, put as the substantive motion, was carried, with two dissentients. j VARIOI'S MATTERS. The chairman said the next matter which the meeting might express an opinion upon was the use of Manchester Street by tramcars. 1 Mr Thompson explained how the suggested new track iu Manchester Street would relieve congestion in the Square. The public had objected to cars in this ,street and that street. If "the board had heeded all objections there would be no trams ruuniug into the centre of the city. Superintendent Warner said he would be sorry if the Tramway Board increased the traffic in Manchester Street, as the brigade had to use the street a great deal. He stressed the necessity of educating the public to the by-laws. Mr Hayward brought under notice the necessity of all cycles having reflectors and vehicles having tail-lights. It was very unwise for vehicles to pass a standing' tram ou the right side. He thought that the motor inspectors should have a distinctive uniform. /

Mr Dickinson said that four miles an hour over a crossing was ridiculous. Ten or 12 miles was reasonable ami safe. He was in favour of tail-lights to all vehicles, and not reflectors. Mr Holland moved that it be a recommendation to the By-laws Committee of the City Council that pedestrians should observe the same rule on the footpath as traffic observed on the road. Mr Butterfield seconded the motion, which was carried.

In reply to a question, tho chairman said that' the system of parking cars referred to some weeks ago would probably l>e brought into force. Mr McCaw said he would like to draw the attention of the City Council to the action of those garage proprietors who used the roads as storing places.