TAIL LIGHTS FOR PEDESTRIANS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20669, 6 March 1937, Page 8

TAIL LIGHTS FOR PEDESTRIANS

MINIMISING RISKS ON COUNTRY ROADS NOVEL REMIT TO JUSTICES’ CONFERENCE By Tex-;ra.a K Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, March 5. “At first sight this might appear to be a silly remit, but I assure you that anybody who drives on country roads at night will know that it is not,” said Mr A. J. Stratford at the annual conference of the Federation of Justices of the Peace Association this morning in bringing forward a proposal that pedestrians on country roads at night wear a red reflector or tail light. After considerable discussion an amendment moved by Mr J. A. Valentine (Taranaki) that the attention of the Minister of Transport be directed to the need for some definite means of protection for pedestrians on roads r. s carried. In moving the remit Mr Stratford described his own experiences when driving on country roads. In the Auckland district, he declared, it was a positive nightmare as pedestrians seemed to come from nowhere. A small reflector on the right seleve or a rear light would be noticed by motorists and the number of accidents would be reduced. Mr E. Whitcombe (Manawatu) seconded the motion pro forma. He said it was impossible to expect all people to carry a badge behind them. The remedy was too restore the old rule of the footpath, which was to keep to the right. If that were done and applied to roads as well as footpaths, pedestrians on roads would face oncoming vehicular traffic and would be able to get clear in time. He moved as an amendment that the Government be asked to restore the old rule of the footpath of keeping to the right. “We are only belittling ourselves in the eyes of the public,” said Mr H. F. Herbert (Canterbury). The only suggestion he could make was that the remit be referred to the fashion houses so that they could fix up women’s dresses with tail light. The amendment was lost. Mr Valentine then moved a further amendment that the attention of the Minister of Transport be directed to the need for protecting pedestrians. This was seconded by Mr A. Williams (Canterbury) and carried on the voices.