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Light Signals Failure and the Law

21st May 1948, Page 20
21st May 1948
Page 20
Page 20, 21st May 1948 — Light Signals Failure and the Law
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

WE referred last week to proceedings which were taken at Bradford against two drivers, the offence being that they crossed with their vehicles against traffic lights at red, and each was fined 20s.

The circumstances were that these signals are of the traffic-controlled type, and as the red had been showing for some six minutes, despite the fact that one of the drivers had reversed his vehicle in order again to strike the operating pads, the men decided to cross. The police officer prosecuting said that a driver may not, in any circumstances, cross against a red signal.

It seems to us that such a prosecution and the resultant penalties are absurd and bring the law into disrepute. Is important road traffic to be held up indefinitely merely because of a mechanical or electrical fault? We have known several such cases ourselves, and members of our staff have, in such circumstances, and after allowing a reasonable time for the lights to change, crossed against the red, of course taking particular care that there should be no interference with other traffic on entering or cross roads.

We believe that the best procedure in such circumstances, where several vehicles are concerned, is for one of the drivers or a mate to act temporarily as a traffic controller. He could then Jump on to the last vehi,cle passing through and catch up with his own. .

It is the duty of the public to help the police. also to see that the law is not infringed, but we can sec no sensible reason why. human . control should not temporarily replace the automatic variety. Of course, if a policeman be near, he would no doubt take over the task or could be asked to do so if he had not already observed the difficulty.

If the facts in the case in question were actually as reported to us, we consider that these " offenders " should be granted pardons and their fines refunded.„

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Locations: Bradford

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