ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27367, 4 June 1954, Page 3

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

DECREASE IN FATAL ACCIDENTS

PLAIN CLOTHES PATROLS COMMENDED

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 3.

The number of road deaths in the last three months was lower than in the years 1936, 1938, and 1939, when there was only half the present traffic on the roads, said the Minister of Transport (Mr W. S. Goosman) today, when he reported a substantial decline in the number of fatal accidents since a new approach to road safety was introduced on March 1.

“In the last three months—since the start of the new scheme of plainclothes traffic officers —the fatal accident rate has been the lowest for comparable periods in the last six years,” he'said. .“Compared with a similar period last year, deaths show a drop from 97 to 68—a decrease of about 30 per cent.

During March, the number of deaths was 25, compared with 30 in March, 1953, Mr Goosman said. In April, 24 persons were killed, and in May the number was 19. “It seems that there is a definite trend toward fewer fatal accidents.” Mr Goosman said. “The evidence of the last three months compared with similar periods in the previous years support this.” Mr Goosman said there was every reasonlo believe the trend would continue.

“I can only attribute the drop in fatal accidents to the new policy of plain-clothes traffic officers and the intensive publicity campaign to reduce road accidents,” he said. “In rural areas, where the plain-clothes officers mainly operate, there has been a marked drop in the number of accidents.”

Both plain-clothes and uniformed officers reported widespread evidence of more careful driving, said Mr Goosman. “There is no doubt that our new policy has made a big contribution to road safety," he said. “Even so, the number of deaths in the last three months is too high for a small country such as ours. Sixtyseven valuable lives have been lost. There will be an intensification of efforts to reduce deaths on the road.”