JAY-WALKERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 82, 28 June 1927, Page 10

JAY-WALKERS

AUCKLAND HAS MANY WHAT GAN BE DONE? MOTOR DEALERS’ VIEWPOINT THE note in last week’s Motordom about “Jay-walking” has brought down on “Headlight’s” shoulders a deluge of correspondence on the subject. Some few people thought the warning unnecessary, but the majority have supported the appeal to put a stop to the practice.. . Statistics of deaths have been forthcoming, while many motor dealers in Auckland have made their position clear. “Headlight.” feels certain that no individual, and no organisation regrets more keenly than the motor companies the street accidents in which pedestrians are injured.

THE question seems to be of such urgency that “Headlight” is again presenting the case for regulation. At times, however, one cannot help but wonder if all the accidents, or even a majority of them, are due to motorists. If a real effort were made to get the facts in each case, we think that quite frequently it would be discovered that the pedestrian was as much at fault as the motorist, and that often the pedestrian’s carelessness was entirely responsible for the mishap. At present, even people who are familiar jyrth automobiles are too ready to leap to the conclusion that the motorist is at fault in every accident of which they hear. If they reflect for a moment on their own driving experience, they will recall many instances in which the heedlessness of persons on foot would have resulted in disaster had it not been for the watchfulness and promptness of the motorist. HELP ALREADY GIVEN It seems to us that the motorist and the various governing bodies of the country, such as the borough and city councils, have very willingly accepted most of , the responsibility of keeping the streets and highways safe. Very little has been left for the pedestrian to do except to exercise ordinary care. The statute books of the country have been filled with rules and regulations for motorists. A limit is set to the speed at which they may drive. They must slow down or stop at certain points. A whole division of the police system has been developed to see that these regulations are obeyed by the motorists, and penalties are provided when he disobeys them. The word, or even the signal, of the traffic officer is absolute law to the motorist. No matter if he be hurrying to meet a train, or to keep an important appointment, he brings his

handle their automobiles sensibly and safely.

But no matter how carefully one drives, he cannot preVent a pedestrian from crossing in the centre of the street or from walking heedlessly into the path of the car. The pedestrian should co-operate, too.

Automobile makers, also, have been aggressive in the work of safety. Take only one instance—four-wheel brakes. These enable the driver to make a quick, smooth stop, and have undoubtedly prevented many mishaps.

The engine, too, is so constructed that the driver can slow down to a creeping pace, if necessary, and yet in a few seconds be travelling at high speed again. This abiilty to travel slowly and accelerate quickly is a combination that is often needed for safe driving in traffic.

So as we go over' the list we see that the State, the municipalities, the county, the automobile makes, and motorists themselves are working actively in the cause of safety. The only missing link is the pedestrian. REGULATION OF PEDESTRIANS One has only to visit a city where pedestrian traffic is regulated and then visit one where the contrary is the case, to be struck forcibly with the difference in traffic control.

This one sentence, ‘.‘At intersections where traffic is directed by a police officer or by a traffic signal, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to disobey such direction or signal,” inserted in the traffic ordinance of a city makes it possible to control pedestrians at the crossings where officers or signals are used.

It is usually habit or natural perversity that impels pedestrians to cross against a traffic signal. Aside from the danger to the pedestrian himself, this practice is an important factor in increasing congestion at already congested crossings. When the signal

car to a stop when the officer r*aises his hand. But do we find this same regard for the law on the part of the pedestrian? A few minutes’ observation at any busy street intersection will answer that question. Very rarely does the motorist fail to stop when the signal is given. But this is not true of many pedestrians. They dash out when they feel inclined, looking neither up nor down the street, and if they miss the first car, they are struck by the second. The motorist has no chance to see them. When he gets a signal to come on, he naturally believes that the path is clear. The pedestrian is struck before the driver has a chance to apply his brakes. Statistics show that a majority of city traffic accidents occur at these protected crossings, which surely indicates carelessness on the part of the pedestrian. WHAT MOTORISTS ARE DOING The state and the other governing bodies are not # alone in their efforts to protect the * pedestrian. Motorists themselves have done much to make the streets and highways safe. They have formed clubs and associations and have drawn up ru’es and regulations for their members. They have spent large sums of money in newspaper advertising, urging both motorists and pedestrians to observe the few simple rules that insure a high degree of safety. They have spent more money in providing street signs which warn the motorist to stop at certain points, or to go slowly because he is approaching a school or a sharp turn in the road. And most motorists have co-operated in these efforts. The careless driver is the exception. Most drivers, for their own protection, if for no other reason,

A notable gain in earnings for the first quarter of 1927 over the corresponding period of 1926 is reported by the Chrysler Corporation. Despite price reductions made in the last two or three years, the corporation has actually increased its margin of profit through a larger volume and economy of operation.

“Go” is given, the way should be clear for vehicles to cross the intersection free from hindrance, and nothing should obstruct this passage, the object being to get as many vehicles as possible across before the signal changes. No motorist will willingly run down a pedestrian, so when these insist upon crossing against the signal it causes delay, and, at certain hours, serious congestion. It has been found, in cities where the pedestrian is regulated at crossings, that while a few at first resented such regulation, that all, as soon- as they realised the wisdom of the ordinance, fell into line and congestion was markedly relieved. NUMBER OF FATALITIES Not only is congestion relieved but the number of fatalities is considerably reduced. That there is an urgent need for regulation is proved by the following table, which sets out the fatalities in New Zealand for 1926. Auckland 41 Wellington 14 Christchurch 12 Dunedin 5 Hamilton 1 Gisborne 1 Napier 2 Hastings 2 New Plymouth 6 Wanganui 2 Palmerston North 3 Timaru . 1 Invercargill 2 Total 92 The reduction of this ominous total needs the whole-hearted attention of every citizen in the country, and it is hoped that the suggestions thrown out here will bear fruit in easing the position for both motorists and the public in Auckland.

To save dimming lights on the road try this: Stick with glue or seccotine a small circular mirror as used by the ladies, to the lamp glass directly in front of the bulb so that it reflects the light back into the lamp; no shadows will result and the light will be just as effective.