FEWER ROAD DEATHS DURING OCTOBER

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30588, 3 November 1964, Page 12

FEWER ROAD DEATHS DURING OCTOBER

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. The 21 road deaths during October were the lowest of any month this year, and compare with 33 during September and 23 in October, 1963. The total for the 10 months, 356, however, is much higher than during January-October last year, for fatalities were higher in six of these months: January 36 (29 in 1963), March 48 (34), May 48 (46), June 46 (30), July 43 (28) and August 45 (29). Months in which there were fewer deaths were: February 24 (40), April 22 (31), September 33 (37), and October 21 (23). Unless during November and December standards of courtesy and driving judgment improve, the 1964 toll will rise well above 400, said

an official of the Transport Department today. Impatience and consequent risky overtaking, failure to keep left, even momentary inattention, speed too high for traffic, road or weather, speeds too high at night, and the dangers which a minority created for themselves and others at week-ends would be closely watched by patrols. But, he said, the responsibility for his own and the common safety rested directly upon the individual driver. In November last year there were 32 and in December 35 road deaths.