MOTOR-CYCLISTS’ DEATHS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27612, 19 March 1955, Page 9

MOTOR-CYCLISTS’ DEATHS

HIGH PROPORTION OF ROAD TOLL

VALUE OF CRASH HELMETS BEING ASSESSED

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 18.

Death and severe injuries among motor-cyclists are causing grave concern to Transport Department officials. Almost nine out of 10 of the victims —most of them youths or young men —died of head injuries. These are completely out of proportion to road casualties generally. Though motor-cycles comprise but 5 per cent, of the vehicles on the roads, motor-cycling deaths—riders and pillion riders—comprised 20 per cent, of road deaths in 1954 and previous years. The 16 riders and pillion riders killed so far this year comprise 30 per cent, of the total road dead.

Every count in the world shows head injury to be the prime killer among motor-cyclists. In New Zealand, of 161 consecutive motor-cycling deaths closely investigated, head injuries killed 141 of the victims.

There is proof from every country that helmets are life-savers, says the Transport Department. Since February 12, when the Commissioner of Transport (Mr H. B. Smith) asked that a note should be taken whether the victims were or were not wearing helmets, there have been nine motorcycling deaths. In no instance was a helmet worn.

In that period, no rider or pillion rider who wore a crash helmet was fatally injured, though many were involved in accidents.