Woman’s death lifts road toll to 667

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32801, 29 December 1971, Page 1

Woman’s death lifts road toll to 667

(New Zealand Preet Association) WELLINGTON, December 28. The nation’s road toll xose to 667 this afternoon with the death in New Plymouth Hospital of an elderly woman who was injured when she was hit by a car on Christmas Eve.

'Hie, year’s toll is now 12 more than the record total for the whole of last year, and 14 persons have died on the roads since the holiday season officially began last Friday afternoon. . So far this month 60 persons have been killed in road accidents, compared

witn 04 at tne corresponoing time : last December. PEDESTRIAN DIES The woman who died in the New Plymouth Hospital was Sadie Karam, aged about 75. Mrs Karam was hit by a car in Powderham Street, New Plymouth, outside St Joseph’s Church at 11.45 pan. on October 24. MORE BELTS USED lii ‘ a survey carried , out since the holiday period started on December 24, Ministry of Transport officers have found that 61 per cent of cars inspected were fitted with seat-belts. The survey covered 1400 vehicles. Of the 61 per cent, only 38 per cent of the occupants were using the belts. A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport said that from reports of fatal and other accidents it was apparent that several persons had their seat-belts to thank for the fact that they were i still alive.' ” ” :

The spokesman said that the holiday survey on seatbelts showed an improvement on statistics gathered in November, when only 52.5 per cent of vehicles checked had seat-belts, and only 32 per cent of these were being In a 1970 survey only 49 per cent of vehicles had seatbelts fitted, and of those only 27 , per cent were in use.