SAFER ROADS IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 18

SAFER ROADS IN BRITAIN

| . 4 ! ALL ACCIDENTS TO BE ANALYSED RECENT REDUCTION (took or* ow» '. LONDON, January 12,': A new line of enquiry js about to be undertaken by the Minister for Transport, in co-operation with,the police authorities, into the. causes of fatal road accidents. Its object is to obtain informatics which will form the basjs of furI ther safety measures. Amongst th< particulars asked for will be: Age of cars involved in accident ' Age and sex of drivers. Conduct of cyclists and drivers?! pedestrian crossings. ....,-"; Character, width, and condition of road. Mechanical defects, such as defective brakes and worn tyres; It is proposed to make public from time to time the more important facts revealed by the investigation Meanwhile, according to the Ml-, istry's returns, the number of roUr fatalities shows a marked reductionThe deaths during the week ended i January 5 were 29 fewer than- in I the preceding seven days,; while the number of injured was <J6wn by 91. The total of injured, 3769, is the lowest recorded since March last. 9 Pedestrian Crossings When an accident occurs at a marked pedestrian crossing-place the Chief Constable is asked to indicate this, and also to state whether the driver or cyclist involved failed to stop at the crossing. If an accident occurs within 50 yards of an available crossing-place, subway or refuge, this will be stated. Where a local or general speed limit is-tf operation this will be shown.. Under the heading "Direction, or course of vehicle" information wW be furnished on the following among other points: ' Not slowing down at pedestrian crossing-place. . ' iJmerging from minor road inw maior road; turning,to right .i« left). L -- -,_.. Roads of equal importance; W» ing to right (or left). _. "Causes contributory to the aw dent" include such items as ftiWß to reduce speed sufficiently «*» dazzled by headlights of on-comtos vehicles.