PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 11, 15 May 1939, Page 4

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

THERE are some motorists apparently for whom the whitemarked pedestrian crossings exist merely as a decoration for the street. It is something of an experience to watch the traffic on the evening of the late shopping night as the cars stream into town. Only one driver in five appears to take stock of the crossings and 1 keeps a wary eye out for any who may be using them,. The bulk of them simply sweep round the bend from Commerce Street and drive up the Strand without a side glance to assure them. An illustration of the danger of such a habit becoming general occurred recently when a large car doing a comfortable 35 m.p.h. shot round the rock and pulled up. short with a squeal of brakes a bare twelve inches from a small girl on a tricycle. A tragedy was thus averted by a fraction. Pedestrian crossings were inaugurated as a safeguard for the persons who seek to cross the roadway. Motorists owe it to the community to recognise this and in fairness to all parties should observe the simple rules introduced with a view to safeguarding life and li mb.