EASTER ROAD DEATHS LOWEST IN FIVE YEARS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27632, 13 April 1955, Page 9

EASTER ROAD DEATHS LOWEST IN FIVE YEARS

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 12. “Deaths on the roads this Easter, when there was a record volume of traffic, have been the lowest for five years,” said the Minister of Transport (Mr W. S. Goosman) today. “Thanks for this good record are due above all to the motorists, motor-cyclists, and cyclists and the pedestrians who exercised such great care at this dangerous time. All traffic officers’ reports speak well of the good road behaviour this Easter.”

Mr Goosman said that the help given by armed services provosts and local authority traffic patrols had been of great value in keeping down the road toll, which might have been much higher without their active support. “I should like to thank the press and radio also for giving the Transport Department’s campaign the publicity which was necessary to make it a success,” he added.

“The Easter danger period is now over, and our helpers can all be congratulated on a job well done, but the crucial aqtumn season is now upon us with earlier darkness and uncertain weather, and I appeal to all road users not to relax,” concluded the Minister.

This Easter had been the safest on the roads for years because motorists, “with those exceptions who are always with us,” took notice of the warnings given them and because they saw that those warnings were backed by a very much stronger enforcement staff, said New Zealand’s Traffic Superintendent (Mr P. C. Watson) today. At peak strength yesterday, when there was a heavy volume of traffic, the combined transport, provost, and local body enforcement staff was 325, more than double the normal highway manpower. All patrols were in uniform. This large force made it possible to roster hours of duty, so that closer supervision could be given over long hours, and a closer radio network had proved its value in the co-ordination of patrol work. The only transport districts that did not report record traffic were Nelson and Christchurch, where volumes, although heavier than at other Easters, were not up to those of last Christmas holidays.

Seventeen persons were arrested for drunken driving, and 21 other drivers had their keys taken from them, said Mr Watson.

Liquor was evident in some of the accidents.

The most prevalent offence reported by patrols was overtaking in the face of approaching traffic. Failure to keep to the left of the road was the next most common offence.

Officers in the North Auckland and Waikato areas, he said, had reported more hitch-hikers on the main roads than usual. In the day they were safe enough, but at night—walking on the left side of the road gnd standing well out to attract attention—they were running greater risks than they realised, for few wore light-coloured clothing. On the short stretch between Hamilton and Cambridge 20 night hitch-hikers were warned to take more care of themselves.