‘DISMAL’ TOLL IN NOV.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32783, 7 December 1971, Page 3

‘DISMAL’ TOLL IN NOV.

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 6. The road toll last month was described as a dismal record today by the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon).

During the month, 59 persons died in traffic accidents —the highest toll in any November. Altogether 606 persons died in traffic accidents in the first 11 months of the year, compared with 594 in the same period last year. “Naturally, I am bitterly disappointed in these figures, particularly in the light of the publicity which has been given to the work of the Parliamentary road safety committee and of Parliament itself. I had hoped that this would have persuaded many more people to use th,eir seat belts.

“In fact, the opposite seems to have been the case.” Mr Gordon said that, repeatedly, he had stated his conviction that seat belts saved lives. This had been endorsed by the select committee and agreed to by Parliament by an overwhelming majority on a free vote.

“Yet so far there seems to have been little response from the very people we are trying to help.”

Psychiatric protest.—The Porirua Hospital sub-group of the Public Service Association has again asked the Government to implement its promise of an inquiry into the country’s psychiatric services, made as part of the settlement of the Oakley dispute several months ago.— (P.A.)