Asians taught life-saving rules

In November, 19-year-old Japanese student Takuji Hashikawa was nearly killed when he was hit by a car as he was crossing a central Auckland street.

He can remember nothing a month before or a month after the accident but he knows doctors gave him a 2 per cent chance of survival.

Yesterday he shared his experience with about 100 Asian students at a pedestrian safety workshop funded by the Auckland City Council and presented by the police.

The students were told Auckland could be exciting but it could also be dangerous. In the five years to 2003 the number of people killed on Auckland City roads was 84, with 35 of them pedestrians or cyclists.

The workshop was organised after three pedestrians were injured in crashes within 30 hours - all involving international students.

Jessica Phuang, Asian liaison officer with the Auckland police, drummed into the students the main rule for crossing roads: "Look right, look left and look right again."

She also advised against the use of mobile telephones in the middle of the road and to beware of Auckland's "little hills" that could hide a car until it was too late.

Takuji Hashikawa still bore the scars of a lengthy stay in hospital when he took the floor. It was a bit of an ordeal but he would not admit it.

"It was easy to share my experience for the safety of others," he said later.

"My friends in Auckland City always tell their friends what happened to me. They all thought I was dead."

Takuji, who has lived in Auckland for eight years, said the accident was his fault and he felt sorry for the driver of the car. He walked out on to the road, avoided one car but was hit by another, his head hitting its windscreen.

"In Japan pedestrians have first priority but here unless you are a pedestrian on a zebra crossing the car has priority," the Osaka youth said.

Jessica Phuang, an observer of the pedestrian habits of Asian students at inner-city trouble-spots, said: "Sometimes I feel like screaming."

She said in Asian countries cars had to slow down for pedestrians.

This can lead to frustration - and accusations of racism - when Auckland motorists must slow for students who don't know they are in the wrong.

"How many of you talk to your friends while crossing the road?" she asked the students. "All of you?

"I want to emphasise New Zealand cars drive fast."