FATAL MISHAPS ON ROAD

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21974, 24 December 1936, Page 12

FATAL MISHAPS ON ROAD

ANALYSIS OF CAUSES DATA TO BE SUPPLIED TO OFFICERS MINISTER'S APPEAL FOR OBSERVANCE OF LAW (PBESS ASSOCIATION TKLEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 23. "There is not the slightest doubt that the reckless motorist has been the highway slaughterman in New Zealand," said the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) today. "The departmental classification of the main causes of fatal motor accidents shows that excessive speed was responsible for the deaths of 330 persons during the last seven years. That terrible fact alone justifies the new regulations enforcing a uniform speed limit of 30 miles an hour in urban areas, but an analysis of the major causes of motoring mortality on the roads of New Zealand reveals many other weaknesses.

"In the highway traffic classification is:—Excessive speed in the circumstances, 330; on the wrong side of the road, 154; did not comply with the ofr-side rule, 66; passing a standing tram, 3; other passing breaches, 28; failure of the driver to signal, 13; breaches of the law relating to railway intersections, 50; faulty equipment, including lights, 240; drivers' intoxication factor in accidents, 97; driver unlicensed or inexperienced, 26; straying stock, 10; other breaches of law, 36; bad weather, 53; vehicle being reversed, 23; obstruction to view by parked motor vehicle, 17; sun dazzle, 3; driver's physical defect as the direct cause, 11; motorist and pedestrian, motorist at fault, 65; pedestrian (not intoxicated) crossing or on the road without care, or becoming confused, 129; pedestrian intoxicated, 30; children on the streets not under proper control, 69; other causes of pedestrian accidents, 17; causes not included under the above headings, 136; total, 1606.

Tracing Weaknesses "These figures are being sent to all traffic inspectors appointed by the Main Highways Board," continued Mr Semple. "The object is to give them an idea as to the varied manner in which accidents are taking place on the roads. It is necessary and it is essential to look closely into all the weak links in the transport chain, so that inspectors, if they take a case before a magistrate, can show where the weakness lies. "The classification given has been the result of a very careful analysis of the facts. Hitherto, transport officers have not received such information. Even magistrates themselves have not always been fully informed as to where weaknesses lie in the transport system. "It is the intention of the Government, through my department, to give inspectors and transport officers in the new year information from month to month just how accidents are taking place," said Mr Semple. "A doctor must diagnose a disease before performing an operation, and the same rule must be applied to the control of transport and the cure for its serious weaknesses and faults. "On the eve of Christmas I appeal to the thousands of. motorists who will be using the highways to observe the rules of the road and obey the law as to speed limits," added the Minister. "It is better to travel a little slower than to kill a fellowcitizen for the sake of speed. I leave it to every motorist to be a gentleman with a clear conscience."