EASTER ROAD TOLL AT 11

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31329, 28 March 1967, Page 1

EASTER ROAD TOLL AT 11

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 27. The Easter road toll had risen to eleven by 6.30 p.m. today. The deaths over Easter include three drivers, five passengers and three pedestrians. Road deaths so far this year total 152, compared with 98 at the same time last year. The total this month is now 55. At the same time last March deaths totalled 29. A spokesman for the Transport Department said tonight it was believed that the injured on New Zealand roads this Easter already exceeded the record number of 382 last Easter. He said that most of the accidents were caused by high speeds in wet and slippery conditions early in the holi-

day period. As the weather improved traffic officers noted that speeds were more restrained; but the common mistake of following too closely was apparent. Heavier Volume He said that in the heavier volume Gf traffic on the roads today many drivers became impatient and were sometimes tempted into reckless overtaking. “Although this practice is reprehensible, some blame must also fall on slow drivers and vehicles drawing caravans which persistently refused- to pull over to allow following vehicles to pass,” the spokesman said. Pedestrian Dies A woman pedestrian was knocked down and killed in Victoria street, Hamilton, at 10.55 a.m. today. She was Margaret Shanahan, aged 84,

a spinster, of Opioa road, Hamilton. Student Killed A 17-year-old Taita female student died shortly after a car plunged off the road north of Waiouru just before 10 p.m. yesterday. She was Miss Irene Kovalenko. Her parents, Mr Michael Kovalenko and Mrs Daraska Kovalenko, were admitted to Waiouru Camp Hospital, Mrs Kovalenko with facial lacerations and shock, and her husband wW'Tacerations and bruising. Not Named Police have not yet released the name of an elderly pedestrian who was killed when struck by a car in Matai road, Raumati South, about 8 p.m. on Saturday.