Road deaths now 667

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32800, 28 December 1971, Page 2

Road deaths now 667

'New Zealand Press Association

WELLINGTON, December 27. New Zealand’s road toll rose to a record 667 today—l2 more than the number killed on the roads for the whole of last year, the Ministry of Transport reported tonight.

The Ministry said that between 4 p.m. on December 24 and 8 a.m. today traffic officers attended 98 traffic accidents in which 11 persons died and 140 were injured, of whom 36 are on the serious list. Four more fatal accidents were reported later today.

Drinking drivers had been a major problem this holiday season, and 13 drivers had been arrested for being drunk in charge. Another 85 drivers had been given the breath test. “It is well established that alcohol is the major cause of traffic accidents,’’ a spokesman said. “That almost 100 drivers who had been drinking were apprehended in only 64 hours indicates that too many are still showing a lack of concern for their own safety and the safety of others.”

The Ministry also reported that officers had detected 4200 other offences, and

ordered 33 unsafe vehicles off the road. One of these vehicles had been driven by a 13-year-old boy.

The main offences included excessive speed, following too closely, and the use of defective vehicles.

The Ministry appealed tonight to all drivers to check their speed and to anticipate sudden stops when following in traffic.