DEATHS OF CHILDREN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30219, 26 August 1963, Page 12

DEATHS OF CHILDREN

Problem On N.Z. Roads (N.Z. Press Association) PALM. NORTH, Aug. 25. “Today we are faced with one of the gravest problems of all times—the tragic loss of children killed or injured on New Zealand roads,” said Mr A. K. Greives this afternoon. Mr Greives, representing the Dominion Federation of School Committees’ Association on the New Zealand Road Safety Council, was addressing delegates at the parent - teacher movement conference at Massey University College of Manawatu. Between 1960 and 1962, 6182 children were killed or injured, he said. This was the most tragic period in the history of New Zealand. Of this number, 163 died, and they were under 15. Between 1952 and last year an average of 2091 children were killed or injured a year. Deaths averaged 54 a year. “Unfortunately we cannot go back and undo what has been done,” said Mr Greives. “We cannot restore the dead children to life or undo the injuries to others. “I have been told that the statisticians value the life of a child at £lO,OOO. But who would want to lose a child for even £20,000?” Although the children received traffic instruction from capable traffic officers, that was not enough, said Mr Greives.

Parents had to help, too. with this instruction. Parents should never send young children out on errands because they might never return.