THE TIMES. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1920. TRAFFIC IRREGULARITIES

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 502, 3 February 1920, Page 2

THE TIMES. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1920. TRAFFIC IRREGULARITIES

"We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice."

THE non-observance of the Pukekohe Borough traffic regulations* or even the ordinary regulations applicable anywhere in British dominions, causes much inconvenience, and is the subject of a good deal of unfavourable comment. People draw their vehicles up on the wrong side of the road, never troubling to face their horses in the correct direction, i.e., to have them heading so that they are on the left of the road, Motors are similarly illhandled, and pull up in " any old place," irrespective of the awkward situations they cause for other traffic. Probably the worst offenders are those who stop their vehicles in the middle of the street, and leisurely gossip to each other for twenty minutes or so, forcing all passing vehicles to swerve to one side or the other. After much agitation, the police took action against persons in possession of vehicles when the same were illegally without lights. These prosecutions had a salutary effect, and it would do good if similar action were taken against persons failing to observe the rules of the road. Admittedly, it is an unpleasant duty to proceed against people for these offences, the temptation to stop and'"yarn" on meeting old friends in the town being very fascinating. But when it is considered that King Street, Pukekohe, is a thoroughfare used by about ten thousand people, at one time or another during the year, and that this number includes only the people living in the district of which Pukekohe is the centre, making no allowance for Auckland-Hamilton traffic, it will readily be recognised that the regulations are bound to be not in force only, but enforced, otherwise inconvenience and accidents must result. These remarks are applicable to the whole of King Street and a portion of the Manukau Road, and the truth of them can be proven by any one who has eyes to see. The Borough Council has, at various times, gone to considerable trouble and expense in order that sufficient room should be available. Notably, the Council had the Seddon Memorial removed, to the end that more space should be at the disposal of traffic; but if the streets were made double their present width there would still be trouble if the regulations were not reasonably well observed. The town is growing, and the of the County is increasing; [therefore, the longer the authorities delay the taking of drastic action to compel compliance with the regulations, the greater will be the congestion and consequent risk of accidents. Now is the time to have the bylaws enforced, instead of waiting for dangerous and costly accidents which the past lack of firmness assuredly must otherwise become responsible for.