15 people do not have to die

Press, 22 October 1976, Page 12

15 people do not have to die

New Zealanders kill themselves, and one another, at the rate of nearly two a day on the roads. But at Labour Day week-end last year 15 people—five each day—died on the roads. In the same three days there were 317 accidents which caused injuries, many of them serious. The Ministry of Transport reports the most common causes of accidents during holiday week-ends are motorists who travel too fast for the conditions, vehicles which travel too closely together, inattention by drivers, and excessive alcohol. These are all faults which drivers could correct by showing greater care and patience Many motorists would increase the chances of a safe holiday for their families if they allowed a little more time for journeys, especially when conditions are poor. The Ministry and Automobile Associations offer advice on road conditions and special hazards during the holidays. The weather fore-

cast for the week-end is not good; warnings for care should be specially heeded. Fifteen of those on the roads this weekend do not have to die.

An increasing number of people tow boats or caravans when they go on holiday. Their restricted speed will cause less frustration to themselves and to other road users if they avoid travelling at peak traffic times, and if they have the courtesy to pull to the side of the road when traffic is building up behind them. All drivers of vehicles with restricted speeds should be taking account now of a new regulation which comes into force on February 1. From that date vehicles with restricted speeds —cars towing caravans, for example—will be required to leave sufficient space ahead of their vehicles, when they are travelling in a line of traffic, for overtaking vehicles to move in. If this regulation is observed sensibly, dangerous overtaking on busy holiday roads should be much less common.