ACCIDENTS TO TRAMS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25242, 22 July 1947, Page 6

ACCIDENTS TO TRAMS

STANDARD OF CAR DRIVING SAID TO BE LOWER

“The standard of driving in the city has deteriorated in the last 12 months. It appears as if there are more irresponsible drivers about, doing foolish things,” said Mr H. Kitson, at a meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board, commenting on the accident committee’s report on tha number of accidents to the board’s trams and buses in May. Motorists pulling out into roads which carried double-track lines did not appear to take reasonable precautions—if they did the number of accidents would not be so great, he said. He did not know whether# it was becoming easier for people to secure licences or whether irresponsibility was increasing, but there was no doubt that the standard of driving was lower. The report stated that the total number of accidents in May was 55, of which 39 were accidents in which motor vehicles; were involved. Concern was expressed at the high number of accidents which occurred with motor vehicles and from observation it was felt that many motor drivers were not aware of the rule of the road as far as it concerned tramways. The report concluded that the general manager had been instructed to bring that fact before the notice of the Transport Department, the Christchurch City Council and the Automobile Association, Canterbury. Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon said there were many streets in the city W’hich could be used by motorists other than those which carried trams, without undue inconvenience. He suggested that the Automobile Association be asked to advise its members, where possible, to avoid using streets such as High street and Colombo street, which were used by the board’s electric cars.