Deaths On N.Z. Roads May Exceed 400 This Year

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 12

Deaths On N.Z. Roads May Exceed 400 This Year

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, October 3. I New Zealand will have suffered! a record number of road deaths —about 400, or 70 more than last year—by the end of 1957. This would be an increase of 40 on the previous highest toll, in 1951. An accident at Greymouth yesterday in which two persons were killed brought the total road deaths so far this year to 300, against 234 on the same day last year. Ninety-five persons were killed between October 2 and December 31 last year. At least this number —if the course of events up to now is any indication—are almost certain to be killed on the roads between now and December 31. Labour week-end this month and the Christmas-New Year period are the big hazards ahead. The Transport Department will intensify its campaigns at these times and, in the meantime, has advice to offer motorists if cars have not been used often during the winter. Cars should be thoroughly checked now and brought up to the highest possible standard before their summer use. This will be the first year since 1954 that a reduction in road deaths has not been attained—in 329°’ 333 Were killed ' and in 1956 - A striking feature of this year’s

Istatistics is the number of pedesItrians over 60 years of age who have been killed. Out of a total of 84 pedestrian deaths to date, 52, or 63.4 per cent., have been in this age group. For the same period last year, when 86 pedestrians were killed. 33, or 42 per cent., were over 60.