Speed Toll Highest

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31333, 1 April 1967, Page 3

Speed Toll Highest

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 31. Sixteen motorists and passengers died on New Zealand roads early this year as a direct result of driving too fast or being driven too fast, according to Transport Department statistics.

Excessive speed proved the highest contributing factor to the January-February road toll. The Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon) said today: “Far

too many drivers fail to realise the dangers involved in excessive speed—particularly drivers in the younger and less experienced age group. “This applies to an even greater extent when visibility is poor' and roads are wet,” said Mr Gordon. Of the 95 fatalities recorded in the two months, 16 occurred through excessive speeding; five because motorcyclists did not wear protective helmets; five deaths occurred in three separate accidents where drivers fell asleep; and three were the result of drunken driving. Pedestrian fatalities at night figured prominently in the toll.

Six pedestrians—all wearing dark clothing—were killed on the roadside because drivers could not' see them in time. Four children, aged between four and 14 years were killed after running into the road across the path of oncoming traffic. Other causes of road deaths included misjudging distances, inexperience on shingle roads, collisions at intersections, failing to yield right of way at “give-way” signs, brake failure, and overtaking. Thirty-two of the fatalities occurred in the 15-25 years group, and 10 in the 61 years and over age group.