SAFETY FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 125, 24 November 1930, Page 7

SAFETY FIRST

WALKERS AND DRIVERS

ALL MUST EXERCISE CARE

Both sides of the never-ending argument over the rights of pedestrians and of motorists arc set out in- a "short talk" article by Mr. B. E. Champ-i taloup, touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association, and are interesting in view of the complaint ■maclo by Councillor Meadowcroft at the last meeting of the/City Council that motorists do not exercise fair and reasonable care- at marked crossing places. The pedestrian, says Mr. Champtaloup, has a right to cross the street at a reasonable pace, without hurrying or inconvenience. Every motorist should remember that tho right to live is superior to the privilege of driving. Pedestrians with infirmities, and also young children, should receive the utmost consideration from motorists. Special care should bo exercised whero pedestrians are numerous. Watch the string of vehicles crossing a street intersection without interruption! Usually the pedestrian remains standing on the corner waiting to cross. Some of the more venturesome ones move on, and, working their way out into the centre of the street, judging the speed of the vehicles, and if they aro successful in avoiding accidents, at last reach the other kerb. Others remain on the kerb fearing that the motorist will not recognise their privileges., They know their rights, but me not always sure that the drivers will recognise them. Perhaps this suspicion is due to a narpow escape in the past. Traffic regulations state the rights and privileges of vehicles, but they do not permit the abuse of these rights and privileges, and an accident cannot .be .-justified by asserting such rights unless the victim were wilfully negligent. ' ' The motorist who uses ordinary good judgment with respect to pedestrians, ,-ihd drives as he wants others to'drive when he is a pedestrian, usually finds himself complying with the established regulations for the public protection. Too many motorists forget, their experiences as pedestrians when they are behind the wheel. THE DANGER POINTS. ' In cities it is found that more accidents oc-cur at less busy centres on the ■way out of town, possibly because they are less well guarded by police, and pedestrians take less care. The prime injunction for such places is to exercise vigilance and to wait as long as is necessary, and, above all, never to cross ■without looking both ways. Remember beyond the city a vehicle is generally moving faster. During the holiday months, many children are in the habit of jumping on trams at the stops and jumping off again, directly in the path of traffic. During such holiday periods motor-car drivers should proceed more carefully when approaching trams, for the children cannot usually be seen until it is too late .to avoid striking them. The motorist who blows his horn suddenly when close behind a' pedestrian is apt to startle him into doing the wrong thing. The safer way 'is to sound the horn in time to allow the pedestrian to see ■■ the approaching motor vehicle and decide which way to go. This has the added advantage of giving .the motorist time to stop his car if the pedestrian becomes confused or seems unable to get out of'the way. In conclusion, Mr." Champtaloup makes an appeal to parents. In numerous quarters around the city children are permitted to play •on busy, thoroughfares.' He does not suggest that children should be deprived of their games, but they should be encouraged to select some spot where they would be immune from the dangers of road traffic. Children" accustomed to finding "amusement on the road gradually become what one would term "rather cheeky, "and act in such a way as to confuse a motorist, to the danger, of. the child. Probably the parents would not' permit such" behaviour if the} 7 were aware of the way in which the child was acting, but a busy mother cannot for ever have them under her eye. In a thoroughfare that permits fast travelling, children should be warned of the danger, and encouraged to observe the principles of safety first. .