PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.

Evening Star, Issue 23699, 5 October 1940, Page 19

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—These were three experiences of mine yesterday. While I was motoring along King street at 5 p.m. a - young lady, instead of going to the corner to cross the road, pops out from behind a truck, highly engrossed in a book rather than looking to the right and then to the left. Any accident that might have happened was only averted by the amount of traffic on the road at this time having to proceed so slowly. Secondly, after being to the pictures, I was proceeding round the Octagon towards Princes street, when all of a sudden two young ladies decided to run across the road, apparently to catch a tram, which, incidentally, was on the move before they ever started. Again, the accident was averted because of the traffic about at this time, when picture theatres are discharging their patrons. Thirdly, at 10155 p.m., after a tram had discharged its passengers at Howe street, three young ladies decided to have a chat on the pedestrian crossing, apparently thinking that while they were standing on the “ safety lines ” I could stand too. When 1 did move on the ladies made a hurried exit to the footpath. All 1 got was abuse. Naturally, if I had knocked any of these people down the motorist would have been tc blame. Most people keep to the crossings put there for their safety, but some will persist in loitering across and then deciding to have a talk halfway. I suggest that, seeing the motorist is courteous to the pedestrian, the pedestrian should- return the compliment. If the pedestrian persists in being discourteous I think some action should be taken. It has been taken against the discourteous motorist. —I am, etc., G. Clxrkb. October 3.