ROAD ACCIDENTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 183, 18 May 1939, Page 9

ROAD ACCIDENTS

ONE DEATH A DAY.

COMMENT BY MINISTER.

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, May 17

“Forty-six lives have been lost in road accidents in the last 46 days, said the Minister for Transport (the Hon. IL Semple) to-day. “At the present alarming rate of one traffic death every day, tho loss of more than 300 valuable lives will be the price of carelessness on the roads during the next. 10 months. Deaths oi motor-car drivers and passengers accounted for two-thirds of the total during the last five weeks. The urge lor speed, the desire to take risks, and reckless disregard of the rules of road courtesy inevitably took their foil. 1 regret that in so many cases innocent victims suffered through carelessness not their own.”

Mr Semple said the necessity for extreme care on the part of pedestrians and cyclists at this period of the year was indicated by the death of seven pedestrians and five cyclists in the last live weeks. More than half.the traffic deaths had occurred at night-time, off-the-road accidents to cars being especially common after dark. Nearly all the night accidents could have been avoided had the necessary precautions been taken.

With tho coming cold and wintry weather, Mr Semple said, many motorists would be inclined to safety for comfort by closing all the car windows. The result was the formation of a misty film on the inside of the windscreen, accompanied by an immediate sacrifice in visibility. Lack of fresh air also tended to produce a feeling of drowsiness, which was 'as dangerous as driving when fatigued. The windscreen and side windows should be kept clean at all times, and. hand signals should always be given. “One pleasing feature revealed by the figures is the small number of fatal accidents to motor-cyclists,” said the Minister. “In five weeks only two fatal motor-cycle accidents have been recorded, and in one at least the motorcyclist was not responsible. The figures reflect appreciation of the value of road safety, which I hope will set an example to other road users.”