Running the red has been an all too popular Auckland pastime since the first set of "vehicle actuated" traffic lights was installed at the intersection of Customs and Albert Sts in June, 1947.
But the main culprits in those days were on foot, according to a Herald survey a month
after the lights were switched on, when about 80 per cent of pedestrians were found to be ignoring them.
"It is notorious among motorists generally and those with a knowledge of overseas cities that Auckland pedestrians do not obey traffic regulations as much as they should," the newspaper wrote.
That view was echoed by the mayor of the day, Sir John Allum, who said he could not understand why so many Aucklanders should flout the lights while people overseas obeyed them.
But there was no law against jay-walking at the time, so it was a tram driver who became the first to be prosecuted for running the lights, although he was convicted and discharged without a fine after a magistrate asked him: "Have you got the hang of it now?"
