Accidents on the Highways

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 13

Accidents on the Highways

Sir, —1 am glad the Government is going to try to reduce the accident and death rate on public highways. I am wondering if the laws will be stiff enough. There is no doubt but that mad driving is the cause of. I suppose, four-fifths of the accidents. Many accidents are caused through ears coming on loose metal at high speeds. If the drivers would elow down when they see it, I am sure the accidents would be greatly reduced on that account. The same applies to bridges and cross-roads. Accidents would be greatly reduced if drivers would slow down, if the view is not good. It is of no use being sorry after .an accident. Almost every paper I pick up I read of one or two accidents. I am very seldom sorry if the drivers get hurt. They have themselves to blame in most cases. Accidents are the cause of more money being needed to run the hospitals. It is terrible when one thinks what is before us, if reckless driving is not stopped. I do not know what the Government is going to do about speed, but I am sure that if the speed were limited to 25 or 30 miles an hour on country roads, and less in towns, it would be a great blessing to a lot of people. There is no doubt the fines should be very much increased. Motor-lorry speed should be increased as 19 miles an hour is too slow. It should be increased to 25 or 26 miles an hour. I feel sure they would not harm the roads so much as big cars going at 35 miles an hour.

Many accidents occur going round corners in hilly country. I think it would be a good plan to put about three “poached eggs” on corners or let in a strip of concrete about two or three yards long round the curve. OT course;, there would have to be about three-fifths of the road allowed ou the outside, or a driver might go over the bank.

I won’t say much about Ifquor; there is no doubt a drunken man is going to get heavier punishment under the new Act. Of course, no man ever has /.ore than three shandies. At Irvt, I have never heard it admitted vet.—l am, etc., DRIVER OF TWENTY YEARS. Wairarapa, May 26.