CHILDREN AND STREET TRAFFIC.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 July 1924, Page 4

CHILDREN AND STREET TRAFFIC.

Our attention has been draw’n to the risks taken by school children on the South Roa,d in the vicinity of the school. Instead of keeping to the footpath many of the children walk on the roadway and place themselves in danger from the traffic. There are footpaths on both sides of the road, and children should be instructed to keep to them and not. walk on the roads except to cross. Notice boards instruct motorists to slow’ dow’n when nearing the school, but even with motors travelling at a reasonably slow speed in the vicinity, it is dangerous for children to scatter over the road, especially in. eases w’here ears are passing one another. No doubt the teachers have frequently told children to keep to the footpaths, but apparently their warnings are not heeded as they should be. Parents as well as teachers will be w r ell advised to point o.ut to. the children the risks they run by walking on the roads instead of the footpaths, and the children should be instructed to look carefully before crossing roads to see that, they are not running into danger. One has seen some narrow escapes in the streets, due to children suddenly rushing from the footpaths on to the roads, without first taking the precaution of seeing if an approaching vehicle is near. Motorists have a serious duty to drive carefully to avoid collisions, but it must not be expected that they can avert accidents if children, rush right in front of cars.