Fewer Road Accidents

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32053, 30 July 1969, Page 1

Fewer Road Accidents

The welcome decrease in road accidents in Christchurch in 1968 is probably attributable to the economic crisis and the erection during the year of 142 stop and give-way signs, says the annual report of the Christchurch City Council’s traffic department.

The economic situation, particularly during the early part of the year, undoubtedly caused a drop in mileage covered by both private and commercial motor-vehicles, which reduced the exposure rate, the report says. The number of accidents fell from 1360 in 1967 to 1251, but there was a startling increase in accidents at night. Night accidents were 32 per cent of the total in 1967; last year they were 41 per cent

Accidents in which one of those involved was affected by liquor steadily increased, and nearly every one was a night-time accident. In the 1251 accidents last year 15 persons were killed, 467 suffered serious injuries, and 1095 suffered minor injuries. Fridays and Saturdays were still the most acci-dent-prone days.

The major cause of accidents attributed to the fault of drivers was failure to give way (429). Inattention (153) was next, and excessive speed (95) next. Other major causes were failure to keep left (63), failure to comply with signs or signals (73), driver or cyclist inexperienced or incomptent (63), following too closely (53) and turning suddenly (43). Where cyclists were the cause of an accident, the major fault was lack of attention (22). The next was failure to give way to the right (21), and turning suddenly

(11) next. Where the cause of an accident was attributed to a pedestrian, the main cause was crossing the road heedless of traffic (91), with stepping on to the road without care (31) next. Where the cause was the condition of the vehicle, defective brakes (19) was the main fault Headlight faults (10) was next, then burst tyres (six). Where road conditions were the cause, the main factor was slipperiness caused by weather (40). Excessive depth of loose metal (five) was next. Cars involved in accidents numbered 1595, light trade vehicles 105, heavy trade vehicles 98, motor-cycles 79, cyclists 43, taxis 40, buses 24, and trailers 10. In 1968 there were 169,412 vehicles of all types registered in the Christchurch postal district. The increase in 1968 was 4116, compared with 3518 in 1967, 8288 in 1966; and 7940 in 1965.