§ 32. Mr. LEONARDasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the 352 indecision shown on the part of pedestrians and drivers of vehicles at crossings equipped with beacons, and also a policeman directing vehicular traffic; and whether he will adopt measures to obviate this difficulty?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe regulations provide that any driver approaching a crossing where traffic is for the time being controlled by a police constable shall allow uninterrupted passage to any foot passenger who has started to cross before the driver receives a signal that he may proceed. It should be clear to any pedestrian that he should not attempt to cross while the main stream of traffic is passing in accordance with a signal given by a police constable.
§ Sir W. BRASSIs it not the case that a motor driver might pass behind a pedestrian after he has crossed the road?
Mr. WESTIs there not good reason for the fear of pedestrians using these crossings as the truth is that the majority of motorists are still ignoring these Belisha beacons?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI hope that the present increasingly courteous manner in which motorists are observing these crossings will prevail.
§ Mr. LEONARDWill the hon. Gentleman keep his attention on this matter with a view to seeing whether the regulations made are adequate for the purpose?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes, Sir.
§ Captain STRICKLANDIs my hon. Friend aware of the great difficulty of seeing a policeman on duty when he is controlling more than one passage-way in the traffic?