SAFETY ON THE ROADS

Chronicle (Levin), 20 August 1947, Page 4

SAFETY ON THE ROADS

JUNIOR CHAMBER'S LETTER TO \ • BOROUGH COUNCIL That white wavy lines shoiild be painted on the roa-ds at the approaches oto pedestriari crdssings iri Levin," was *a sqggestioh made by the Levin Junior Chamber pf Commerce in a letter to the Levin Borough* Council. It- was also suggested "thi't further pedestriah crossings should be placed from the Levin Public Library, a.CfQSS Oxford. Street to the Arcadia Hotel ahd from the library across Bath Street tq the sports shop there. Though , he personally thought that white lines on the' roadway' would result in fhe driyer §lackenirfg his speed, the department " did not favour them, said the district' traffic inspeetor, Mr. M. Hehop, when asked for his' opinion by councillors at Monday night's meeting. Snake lines on the road did ifot convey ariything to road users geiiefally. A motorist might regard th.em as a warning not necessarily of ' a pedestrian crossing, It was also diflcult for a rnotprist to see white lines at night. The painting of such indications would, he considered, help from a safety pbint of v;3w, but would not carry much weight in court. He* thought it would be better for the council to have it incorpbrated as a safety sign on a national basis. Though it was used in certaih towns, it was not generally recognised. Asked by Cr. Powell whether the erection at each end of the tpwn of a noti'ce drawing attention tp the sign would help, Mr. Kehoe said that he did- not think so. Ffom experience he had fofi'nd" that motorists rarely heeded signs. Half the signs already erected were not read. Followine further discussion, the council decided- that "the 'Main Highways Board be approaehed with the suggestion. Following a further discussion with the traffic officer, on the advisability ' bf acceding- to the request for additional crossings at the Oxford Street-Bfith Street jintersection, it was decided that they were not warranted at present and that no actibri be takep. The traffic inspeetor said he considered too many crossings were detrimental to road safety. The crossing outside the theatrg was adequate. It was situated at the

end of the verandahs on both sides of the road, and in his experience, few people woulji wish to fisk gPtr ting wet to go ' to the corner to cross. If the theatre crossing was retained ' and another instituted further along the street, they would be too. close. :The majority bf the councillors agreed." Cr. ',J?arker said the intersection was a turning point for cars and should be left free from pedestrign crossinas.