ROAD TOLL RECORD
Australian Statistics (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) CANBERRA. March 6. Road fatalities in Australia rose to a record of 2542 in 1960-61, according to figures issued by the Commonwealth Statistician today. There were 60,749 persons injured. This was an increase over 1959-60 of 74 deaths and 645 injured. Of those killed, 812 were drivers, 117 motor-cyclists, 138 pedal cyclists, 676 passengers and 795 pedestriansThe figures showed again that most accidents happen on straight roads. There were 24,612 dtecidents on straight roads, 21,886 at uncontrolled intersections, 1885 at controlled intersections and 9964 on bends. There were 275 accidents at railway level crossings. The main causes of accidents were: failing to give right of way at intersections, 11.050; excessive speed, 7016; inattentive driving, 8391; and drunken driving, 1316. Excessive speed caused the most road deaths (521), followed by inattentive driving (284), failure to keep to the left (202), and drunken driving, 139. The most common vehicle faults responsible for accidents were defective tyres and defective brakes.
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Press, Volume CI, Issue 29766, 8 March 1962, Page 11
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165ROAD TOLL RECORD Press, Volume CI, Issue 29766, 8 March 1962, Page 11
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