ACCIDENTS TO ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28541, 21 March 1958, Page 17

ACCIDENTS TO ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS

Between 1953 and 1957, 435 pedestrians were killed in motorvehicle accidents; of these, 206 were over 60, according to a table of statistics compiled recently by the Transport Department as part of the planned programme to make the public familiar with problems of safety on the road associated with elderly persons. In 1953, 83 pedestrians died in accidents, 40 of them over 60 In 1954, 87 pedestrians died (40 over 60); 1955, 81, (36); 1956, 86 (33); 1957, 98 (57).

The average number of pedestrians killed each year is 87, with an approximate average of 41 over 60. Winter Months By far the greatest number of pedestrians over 60 who have i been killed on the roads for the (period of the statistics, have [been killed in the winter months (Last year 45 of these deaths occurred after dark and 12 in daylight. The percentage of elderly persons among pedestrians killed on the road last year was 58.2, the highest ' figure of the six-year period. “These figures,” the department’s statement says, “emphasise the need for care when elderly persons go out at night For example, from March to August, 40 in this group died after dark, compared with five in daylight. “Pedestrians must be made to realise that they can and should assist the motorist to see them

by adopting some of the safety measures often described.’’

From 1953 to the end of 1956, 1375 pedestrians were injured in accidents. Only 1025 of these were over 60. Comparison “It will be noted that the number of pedestrians over 60 injured is not nearly such a high percentage as those killed. There is an obvious conclusion to be drawn from this,” the circular says. "An injury received by a person who is not so young leads to more serious complications than the same injury received by a young person. Often the injury proves fatal to an elderly person.” On March 24 the department will open a national campaign for safety on the roads for elderly persons. A national radio broadcast wil] be made on the evening of March 24 by the Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison). The campaign will last for a week.