Lessons from a Road Tragedy
Page 32
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pROBABLY no accident on the roads has caused more general concern and sympathy throughout the country than that involving a bus and a number of cadets who were marching in the dock area of Chatham. We understand that an inquiry is being held, therefore it would not do for us to deal with the question of responsibility for the tragedy. However, it is important to consider how similar incidents can be avoided.
It seems essential that in the hours of darkness or during fog, almost every object on the road (except, perhaps, file individual pedestrian). whether it be a barrow or a group of people. should have its presence indicated by suitable lighting, preferably a white light at the front and a red one at the rear, unless the lighting of all the area traversed be entirely adequate. To our minds, even individuals walking on dark roads should wear light-coloured clothing or some indicating device, such as a reflector, on the back.
One of the difficulties is that many modern road surfaces themselves present a black appearance, which is accentuated when they are wet, and only a light-coloured object can be seen clearly at a reasonable distance by a driver.
There is one particular danger; that is, if a vehicle is being driven in a well-lit area and turns suddenly into one in which the lighting is dim. The eyes take time to become accustomed to the new conditions consequently that period may be one of exceptional risk which should call for the use of head lamps, or, at least, one of them.
Visibility from the driver's seat is naturally a matter which should receive the closest attention. but as regards buses it is usually excellent, provided that rain or mist on the windows and windscreen does not partially obscure the view.
It seems curious to some people that whilst walkers on country roads are advised to keep to the right so that they face oncoming traffic, the practice for marching troops is that they keep to the near side. It has been suggested that it would be safer if they also could be on the right so that they could see what was coming without looking back. If this were done, however, the difficulty would be that any lights carried would be confusing to drivers in each direction.
Better lighting of streets would lessen the danger, but, it would involve much expense in capital cost and upkeep if applied to comparatively minor roads. In country areas it would be impossible under present conditions.