MINISTER’S WARNING ON ROAD ACCIDENTS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29702, 21 December 1961, Page 18

MINISTER’S WARNING ON ROAD ACCIDENTS

“Highway accident figures so far this December represent a shockingly bad start for the Christmas period,” said the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) yesterday. “The nation has been shocked by two of the worst traffic disasters in its history: 12 young people have lost their lives—yet accidents continue to take their toll ” Road behaviour in holiday traffic should be the subject of special care by every motorist, said Mr McAlpine Sixty-thousend more vehicles would be on the roads in the coming holidays and hazard factors would be increased accordingly. “In the last five years during the short festive period many New Zealanders suffered injury and death,” said Mr McAlpine. “Of the factors which contribute to this tragic toll, the most prevalent, and the most difficult . to detect, is simple—inattention. Failure to keep to the left, following too close, fatigue through long journeys on strange roads, and drivers’ errors on returning from late parties are also features of holiday driving. "Over the holidays there is always an increase in single-vehicle accidents where cars run off the road or run into power poles, bridges, and other fixed objects. “Drivers’ inexperience and the use of borrowed or hired cars may be contributory factors, and the fact that beer consumption alone increases by 25 per cent, must not be ignored. “The most dangerous time for road users will begin when motorists move away on holiday,” the Minister said. “Saturday will be particularly bad, first in the early hours of the morning when parties break up. then at noon, from 4 to 8 pin , and again when parties break up on Sunday morning. Christmas Eve, which is Sunday, also has its unknown hazards which could run into Monday's small hours. “This behaviour pattern will be repeated again over the New Year celebrations I do not like to say this but.

if some drivers refuse to use their common sense and decency by ignoring this warning, they will not be here to celebrate the New Year. “There was an average of 24 accidents a day over last year’s holidays. On Friday, December 23, there were 51 serious accidents in which 86 were Injured and two died. On Saturday 48 crashes injured 80 and killed one. On Christmas Day 27 were injured and six died. Eight died and 169 were injured when the New Year festivities got into full swing. "The time of the year, the time of the day, would have no particular significance if people would only realise that it is each individual's responsibility to prevent road accidents. “The Transport Department and the New Zealand Road Safety Council are conducting a holiday accident prevention campaign which focuses attention on a poster bearing the words, ‘Bring Them Back Alive, Drive Safely.’ “It is every citizen's duty to heed this message,” said Mr McAlpine.