DEATHS ON ROADS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 12

DEATHS ON ROADS

1 Total Up On Last Year (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. June 8. | The Minister of Transport | (Mr McAlpine) said today that 175 persons had died on the roads up to the end of last month, compared with 163 in the same period last year. Many of these deaths could have been avoided with a little care and common sense, he said.

During Queen’s Birthday week-end. when six persons died and five others were critically .injured, the weather. generally, did not assist motorists, but traffic officers still found many people taking chances. ' They travelled at night and in poor weather at normal speeds. §nd sometimes bumper .to bumper. They drove cars in unsafe condition.

A sharp increase in the number of motor-cyclists killed was disturbing. Twenty-four had died up to the end of May, compared with 14 in the same period last year. Nearly half were not wearing safety helmets and half were killed in builtup. restricted speed areas. “The very lack of protection afforded by the motorcycle makes the safety helmet a rider’s safeguard.” Mr McAlpine said, “and motorcyclists need the protection of a helmet in built-up areas just as much as on the open road

“Although they are legally obliged to wear helmets only when travelling at.more than 30 miles an hour, I would strongly recommend riders to wear their helmets at all times.”