ROADS SAFER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 71, 6 January 1936, Page 5

ROADS SAFER.

THE SPEED LAWS IN BRITAIN. (United Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 3. In a survey of road accidents in Britain, 'the Minister fpr Transport (Mr L, Hore-Belisha) in a broadcast talk emphasised that real savlation lav not in regulations and mechanical devices, but in personal care and restraint. Since the speed control' regulations had been in force, however, the situation had shown a definite improvement. Last year 6521 persons were killed, and 218,798 were injured. "Since the invention of the motorcar," said Mr Hore-Belisha, "accidents have mounted in an unbroken ascent during every normal year, and if 1935 had continued this tendency there would have been a further increase of 15,000 persons injured. Further, there has been an average addition of 450 motor vehicles every day throughout the year. In spite of this, although in 1934 there were 99 persons killed oi- injured for every 1000 vehicles on the roads, the figure for 1935 is down to 87." Accidents had not only diminished in numbers, they had become less severe. The percentage of reduction in the number of deaths was twice as great as the percentage of reduction in injuries. Mr Hore-Belisha suggested that this was conclusive proof of the wisdom of controlling speed.—British Official Wireless.