STERN ACTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 14, 27 October 1938, Page 5

STERN ACTION.

INTOXICATION IN MOTOR CARS. THE MINISTER'S INTENTION. (Per Press Association.) WELLING ON, October 26. “Something must be done about drunken drivers on highways,” said the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) to-dav, reviewing motoring casualties during the last .week-end holidays. “Innocent lives are not going to he sacrificed on the road; to the gods of speed and drink,” the Minister said. “I am going to do everything in ray. power to put the drunken driver where he will not be able to imperil the lives of careful and courteous road users. “There were four fatal road accidents during the week-end, six lives being sacrificed. There were also four fatal accidents on the roads during Labour Day week-end last year; but only ony life was;. lost in each accident.. Curing Laboyr Day week-end last year, R)9 persons were injured in traffic mishaps. The injury, rate this yeact.appears- to have been equally heavy. ’ “During the first half of this month, .-New Zealand put up a wonderful'' road safety record by completing 19 days without a. single' traffic fatality. This record followed another fine performance during September, which, from the fatality fig- 1 ures;, was the safest month since November", 1936, These fine records, however, have been marred by 10 deaths on the road during the last 10 days, four of these occurring . between 6 o’clock and 11 last Saturday evening. “Reports have reached me from fill over New Zealand regarding ’. the number of vehicles that, 011 Saturday Afternoon, were in charge of intoxicated drivers. That is serious enough at any time, but when this form of irresponsibility is combined _ with heavy holiday traffic, the result is disastrous.”

The Minister said the New, Zealand Licensed Victuallers’ Association recognised the seriousness of the position, and had undertaken to display in every hotel bar in New Zealand two posters prepared by the Transport Department.