RIDING ABREAST

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20586, 27 November 1936, Page 8

RIDING ABREAST

WHO ARE WORST OFFENDERS? CHILDREN BLAMED Whether or not school children or j adults were mcg-e in need of education i in traffic regulations was debated at the annual meeting of the Automobile I Association (South Canterbury) last | night, when the danger caused by I cyclists riding two and three abreast I was emphasised by Mr W. H. Walton. Mr Walton said he had noticed school children riding two and three abreast in Wai-iti Road, and he thought the service officer (Mr T. Owers) could do god work by visiting the schools, if the permission of the headmasters could be obtained, to point out to children the danger they created to themselves and to other traffic. Only two or three days ago he had seen three children riding abreast up Wai-iti Road and three riding abreast down the street, with a result that a car, also coming down Wai-iti Road, could not pass because the cyclists were six abreast at one stage. The car had had to stop and his and other cars following also had been held up. Although at that time it had been daylight, the same thing happened in the winter evenings when the light was not so good and there was often fog or mist. Another cause for complaint was the action of cyclists standing talking in the middle of the street, obstructing traffic. He suggested that if the children were educated to traffic regulations they might point out to their elders their faults in that direction, as they were fond of doing in many others. The chairman (Mr S. G. McClelland) said that the Association had already done a great deal to educate school children in safety first measures, having instructed them in traffic control and organised patrols. Some of the schools were very keen, but others had not taken much interest and had lost their badges and patrol flags. It all depended on the headmaster. At Waimataitai School the scheme was working very well and he wished some of the other schools were as good.

West School Defended

The chairman’s last remark brought Mr E. Laverty to his feet in defence of the pupils of the West School, where, he said, keen interest was taken in safety first measures. He was sure the scheme was working as well there as at Waimataitai School. He had heard the elder boys talking about the danger of riding abreast, and it was his opinion that some adults were more in need of education in that direction than the children. The fact that he had seen children riding as many as five abreast in Wai-iti Road was mentioned by Mr Robert Wilson, who added that cyclists had been covered by recent legislation. “We have done all in our power to combat the bicycle nuisance,” said Mr J. Palliser, who mentioned the Boys’ and Giris’ High School as being particularly dangerous places. When the schools were coming out cyclists emerged on to the roads in large numbers and rode abreast. The principals had been interviewed and the service officer had given talks on road safety. The Association could not do much more in that direction. It was suggested that the nuisance might be alleviated if the pupils were sent home in batches instead of all together, but Mr Palliser pointed out that that arrangement was not feasible as the children would miss their lunch. Mr W. Kidd expressed the opinion that grown-ups were more in need of education than children. There were a number of adults who were worse offenders and they were old enough to know better.

On the motion of Mr W. J. Foote the matter was referred to the committee.