Statistics tell interesting story

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 38

Statistics tell interesting story

theWel

Peter Greenslade

Statistics for car makes and models involved in road fatalities over 12 months, relative to the numbers registered, would make interesting reading for consumers and embarrass car producers, “Concerned Citizen” (?), of Waipukurau has suggested in a letter to the editor of the “Insurance Bulletin.” The "Bulletin” is the official newsletter of the New Zealand Insurance Council. No doubt they would. Also they might turn away motorists from certain cars and introduce rationalisation into the motor industry, as the authors of the Motor Industry Plan intended some four years ago. After all, the motoring public might not be interested in cars considered unsafe statistically. Statistics, of course, can be used to justify practically anything. Maybe even price hikes in motor insurance. ♦ ♦ ♦

In the North Island appraising a new line of cars recently, I soon appreciated a benefit exclusive, seemingly, to South Islanders. Within 15 minutes of leaving the assembly plant; I encountered five traffic officers —- three in care and two on motor-cycles. They don’t seem to materialise

so frequently in the South which, many motorists might agree, is not such a bad thing. Of course, there will be others who claim that the North Island, as usual, is getting preferential treatment.

It is almost needless to say that those officers were doing their stuff in broad daylight. It is the high M.O.T. profile that evidently keeps the local natives law-abiding. Returning to the plant in the early but extremely dark evening, one had to contend with the dazzle frpm ill-adjusted headlights of literally hundreds of Wellington workers wending their way north towards home and an evening meal. In the course of an hour I failed to see anyone explaining to a traffic officer why a car’s lights were not complying with the road' code. A pity really, because so many accidents seem to occur soon after darkness.