CITY’S ROAD TOLL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29415, 18 January 1961, Page 14

CITY’S ROAD TOLL

“False View Of Safety Record”

Several freak accidents on Christchurch roads last year had increased the number of fatal accidents and had created a false impression of the city’s road safety record, said the Traffic Superintendent of the Christchurch City Council (Mr G. P. Kellar). He was commenting on a recent newspaper report which said Christchurch had the worst road safety record in New Zealand last year, with 24 fatalities.

“A careful analysis showed that in several cases the fatal accidents could not be attributed to lack of care by motorists,” he said. ‘‘ln some of these, the vehicles were stationary.” Mr Kellar said that only five persons had been killed on intersections—four cyclists and a pedestrian. Of the number of pedestrians killed, it was noticeable that only two had been killed on pedestrian crossings, he said. Some had been killed near crossings. “Extremely Low” “When it is considered that we have an estimated 85,000 cyclists in Christchurch and only eight were killed, the percentage of those killed must be accepted as being extremely low.” he said. “Most of the accidents occurred in the early hours of darkness and several during winter.” said Mr Kellar. “Each and every type of road user must use much greater care during the early hours of darkness.” Of the total number of persons killed on Christchurch roads last year, 10 were pedestrians. eight were cyclists, three were motor-cyclists, two were passengers and one was a driver.