PEDESTRIANS’ RULE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1935, Page 4

PEDESTRIANS’ RULE

. TO FACE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ENGLISH LAW RECOMMENDED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., Oct. 31. During the hearing of a claim for damages in the Supreme Court, arising from an injury to a pedestrian by a motor-car overtaking him at night, reference was made to the English common law that pedestrians using highways should face traffic approaching them on their side of the road. Counsel suggested that a 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 of the proposal, that might compel further attention to’ it. On the jury returning the verdict, it added a rider that steps should be 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.