Road care plea

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32488, 24 December 1970, Page 1

Road care plea

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 23. A personal plea to every New Zealander to exercise especial care when riding, driving or walking on the roads these holidays, was made today by the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon). “Already 1970 has proved to be the worst year in our history for road deaths,” he said, “and the holidays are still to come. “The way some drivers appear to be intent upon committing suicide or bringing tragedy to others indicates that this Christmas will not be a happy one for many people."

Christinas was a time when road users were especially vulnerable because of heavy traffic and a carefree holiday atmosphere.

“It also appears to be generally accepted that the holiday period is a time for indulging more than usual in the use of liquor and I can only reiterate what road safety experts all over the world have counselled for years, ‘if you can’t abstain from drinking, then at least abstain from driving’,” Mr Gordon said. “For a country with our population, the number of deaths or serious injuries caused by road accidents is not only alarming but a tragic waste. “For your own sake and your family’s and your friends’ drive .carefully at all times and always be on the alert for other road users who may do something stupid. New Zealand’s disastrous road toil for 1970 is high enough without needless tragedy over Christmas-New Year,” said Mr Gordon.