CARELESS MOTORISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 23

CARELESS MOTORISTS.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE COMPLAINTS. IMPORTANT REMIT ADOPTED. SPECIAL CROSSINGS SUGGESTED. The carelessness of motorists in passing the vicinity of school roads was referred to in rather unfavourable terms at the meeting of the Auckland Primary School Committees' Association last evening, when a lengthy remit by the Brixton Road committee brought the matter under review. A number of members said that the. recklessness of motor drivers when passing schools situated either on main roads or side streets, was unpardonable, and instances were given of accidents, some of which were fatal. Some teachers, it was said, personally accompanied children to see that they safely crossed the' roads after school hours. A Newton headmaster said that, especially on Avondale race days, the traffic dangers "were a nightmare to. him." Some drivers took no notice, it was alleged, of the "Drive slowly" signs. Reference was made to the useful work of the A.A.A. and some of the local authorities, but there were motorists who ignored precaution, unless men were stationed at particular points to watch for transgressors. The following remit was carried:—

"That the association approach the representative local authorities concerned regarding the urgent necessity for immediate action being taken to further safeguard the lives of school children from vehicular traffic and to suggest that definite crossings be marked in white across main thoroughfares to indicate to children suitable places to cross, thus— "(a) Creating a visual warning in the track of motorists of the precise point at which to expect children crossing the road.

■"(b) Causing children to cross the road at right angles instead of in a dangerous diagonal direction. , _

"(c) Reducing to a minimum misunderstanding so likely to arise between drivers and young children. "And, further, that such crossings be located, as far as possible, mid-way between intersections or bends so as to give the'maximum distance of visibility to motorists coming either way."