The Road Toll

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30952, 7 January 1966, Page 8

The Road Toll

Sir, —We appreciate the Governor-General’s kindly message to his people. In outlining the precautions taken before air pilots go up, he did not mention that they have to refrain from alcohol for 12 hours before they go on duty. Is this not the crux of the matter?—Yours, etc., F.S. January 3, 1966.

Sir, —I had education only to Standard 1, and could tell you why the road toll is heavy. (1) Our main roads are, now, far too narrow, with many places too high in the centre. When one meets a 10-ton lamb lorry pulling a similar trailer, one is forced off to the verge of the road. (2) Bridges are too narrow. The Selwyn bridge is an example. (3) Traffic inspectors are picking on the wrong people. Most truck drivers are working for firms: no profits, only hard-earned wages, but we continually see them being bullied by inspectors who should instead be catching the riff-raff, overtakers and murderers. Also let them do a bit of overtime from 6 p.m. till 12 p.m. Then our roads will be less contaminated with these offenders.— Yours, etc., TRAVELLER. January 6, 1966. Sir,—The letter written by Mr V. Craw on ways of reducing the high rate of deaths on the roads is one

of the best I have read. There can be no doubt that if the Government had the fortitude to carry out Mr Craw’s suggestions there would be a very welcome drop in road fatalities. His suggestion to have cars governed down to 60 miles an hour is one that I have had in mind for a long time as a way to prevent these accidents. Accidents do not end with the death of those concerned, although this is tragic enough; but those who are left are left to carry a load of sorrow and heart-break. It is time this tragic business was stopped and every means should be used to bring it about. New Zealand could give a lead to other countries.—Yours, etc., READER. December 30, 1965.