TOLL OF ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1935, Page 23

TOLL OF ROAD.

YEAR’S TOTAL, 182. MILLION POUNDS LOST. REPORT ON TRANSPORT. (By Telegraph.—Tnrliamentnry Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The problem of the control of motor traffic in the interests of public safety assumes larger proportions each year (says the annual report of the Transport Department.) On the one hand the number of convictions for breaches of traffic laws now represents approximately 30 per cent of the total convictions in the Magistrate’s Courts, while on the other hand motor accidents continue to take a growing toll of human life and property.

Other important references to the subject are made in other parts of the report. Action has not yet been taken, it is stated, to overcome the disability under which a party injured by an accident finds himself when the person' responsible—e.g., driver of motor vehicle —subsequently dies. The views of the motor unions, insurance companies, and the New Zealand Law Society have been obtained, and they have recommended that action be taken to overcome this disability. The subject is one of general law rather than motor vehicle law particularly, and the Justice Department now lias the matter under consideration. The report continues:— During the year ended March 31, 1935, motor accidents caused the death of 26 children under the age of 14 years, 42 young persons between the ages of 14 and 24 years, and 114 persons ever 24 years, making a total of 182 human lives. This figure slides an. increase of 47 over that for the previous year, which was the lowest figure recorded since the .present system of statistics was instituted in 1930. Estimate of Loss.

Expressed in terms of potential earn-ing-power of the persons who have lost their lives, and of the estimated costs involved in physical disability in nonfatal accidents, as well as the estimated value of property damaged as a result of all accidents, it is estimated that the annual loss due to these accidents is not less than £1,000,000. This figure gives some idea of the magnitude of the motor-accident question from the purely monetary point of view, hut it is generally recognised that there is also a staggering and unrecorded burden of human misery and distress. This'aspect of the matter is mentioned in order to lay emphasis on the whole question and to ensure that the magnitude of the problem is realised. The deaths referred to in the preceding paragraph resulted from 174 accidents; this figure is 49 greater than that for the previous year. It is true that there was a considerable increase in the volume' bf motor traffic on the roads last year, the benzine consumption showing an increase of approximately 10 per cent, but there seems to be grounds for believing that the increase in fatal 1 motor accidents 'has been considerably greater than that recorded for the volume of traffic. The data covers too short a period to enable definite conclusions to-be? arrived;'* at', but they are sufficiently 'definite' to make it impossible to sheltei"hchind the increased volume of traffic as- the- sole cause of the increase in fatal accidents. Moreover, experience from overseas shows that in many other countries, particularly Great Britain, the numbers of motor accidents have increased nt an alarming rate over recent years.

Principal Points. An examination of a tabic in the appendix To this report, which shows coniparatiye , statistics , relating to fatal motor atiidents over a period of six years, directs attention to the following principal — (i.) number of accidents due to motor vcliicles colliding with pedestrians increased from 26 in 1933-34 to 46 in 1934-35.

(ii.) Collisions between motor vehicles caused 36' fatal accidents in T 934-35, as against 21 in 1933-34. (i'.i.) Collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles increased from 15 to 23. . (iv.) The accidents showed a more even distribution over the different days of the week as compared with last year. (v.) An increase in the number of young children killed as a result of motor accidents.

(vi.) Pedestrian, fatalities show a sharp increase from 26 to 45, due mainly to an. increase in- the number. of cases where the pedestrian,, was at fault. (vii.) Motor cycles figure in an increased number of accidents.

(viii.) Excessive speed under the heading “Exceeding thirty-five miles ■ per hour” as a cause of accident increased by 24 times —from 8 to 20.

(ix.) Glaring headlights was the prime cause of accident in 10 instances this year, as compared with 2 last year.

(x.) Intoxication (mild or severe) figured in 18 fatal motor accidents this years, as compared.with 4 last year. Diversity of Causes.

The above points emphasise the diversity of causes in motor accidents, which in return points to the fact that there is no single simple remedy to eliminate them. Such causes as excessive speed, glaring headlights and intoxication suggest more strict enforcement of the existing laws and salutary punishment for breaches; the number of small children and pedestrians involved in accidents where the motorist was not at fault can only be reduced by proper education of both young and old regarding their conduct on roads used by motor traffic; the number of collisions between motor vehicle and motor vehicle and other vehicles calls for the exercise of judgment and care on behalf of those in control of the vehicles.

In brief, the rising tide of motor accidents may he countered by: (a) Improvement o'? the machinery dealing with the enforcement of the traffic laws; and (b) provision of facilities lor educating pedestrians, motorists and the whole public in the practice of “safety first.” The Ministry of Transport ,in Britain is now pursuing.an active ]>olicy under both those headings, and it would appear that the time has arrived when further efforts along those lines should be made in the Dominion. The Department is investigating the position with this object in view.