“SIMPLY APPALLING”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 216, 12 August 1937, Page 8

“SIMPLY APPALLING”

DISREGARD BY MOTORISTS. PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS. CHIEF JUSTICE’S AVAR KING. Commenting that motorists’ disregard for lines marking pedestrian crossings in Palmerston North was appalling, His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Alichael Alyers, gave a very clear indication in the Supreme Courii yesterday afternoon of what the consequences would be in the event of an accident occurring through these circumstances.

His Honour’s observations were prompted during evidence being given by the Citv Council traffic manager (Air H. J." Smith), and some remarks by counsel, Air O. C. Alazengarb, of Wellington, concerning the extent of the guarantee these directional lines ! gave for pedestrian safety. “Any motorist who hits a person when he is driving over these lines will get wha.t he deserves when he comes before the Court,” said His Honour. Air Mazengarb: That, of course, u» small satisfaction to the pedestrian who is knocked down. His Honour : It may he, but the lines are there to be used, and they are there tor motorists to observe. “One cannot go round Palmerston North and other places, and I go round a good deal,” added His Honour, “without seeing that they are not observed. That is why 1 say wait until the —perhaps I had better not say what I was going to say. However, what I have said will no doubt be taken as a warning.” “The lines are there for a purpose, later said His Honour, “and motorists had better see that they do remember that, and what they are there for.” Mr Alazengarb: 1 am very glad that Your Honour has made that observation here. “I have been unable to escape seeing motorists’ disregard for these crossings.” concluded His Honour. “It IB simply appalling.” However, Hi 6 Honour also had some observations to make concerning the obligation upon pedestrians to be careful. “When a pedestrian sets out to cross .a wide road, it. is not sufficient to look around just before stepping off the kerb and then walk across without giving any more attention to his or her movements,” he said. “If that were permitted then all I can say is that it would be an unfortunate state of affairs. The pedestrian has a duty to look after .himself and he is al6o entitled to have others regardful of his rights, but he doesn’t own the highway any more than a motorist. Each has a duty to the other.”