PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1939, Page 4

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

EXPERIENCE IN WELLINGTON. WHAT A TALLY SHOWED. ' In view of the recent discussion in Masterton relating to pedestrian crossings, it may be of general interest to give the experience of the Wellington Automobile .Association, as set out in its annual report. The report stated that pedestrians continued to figure in a large number of accidents -and statistics showed that in the greatest number of cases the pedestrians themselves were responsible for causing the accidents. Pedestrians in Wellington were not taking advantage of the protection provided for them. A tally was taken at two well-known points in the city over a period of two hours. At one pedestrian crossing, which was in a very neglected state and was difficult to see, only 78 of the 838 pedestrians who crossed the street made use of the recognised pedestrian crossing place. In the other instances, only 387 took advantage of the crossing while 369 did not make use of it. The above figures, it is stated, showed very clearly that pedestrians did not by any means realise that the crossings were provided for their safety and that they should make use of them. The tally also showed that at one point 28 trams stopped across the pedestrian crossing when there was no obstructions to cause them to do so while 30 trams which had to pull up behind others in front also stopped over the crossing. This indicated necessity of co-operation between road users.