ARE PEDESTRIANS MORE CARELESS?

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 153, 25 March 1937, Page 17

ARE PEDESTRIANS MORE CARELESS?

Trend of Road Accident Figures

Are pedestrians growing more careless? The increasing number of persons killed each year in accidents with motor vehicles would make it appear that, in spite of the warnings and exhortations of traffic and transi>ort authorities, less vigilance is being exercised by pedestrians travelling ou the roads than was the case live years ago. It may be argued that faulty driving is a largely contributing factor in many fatal accidents, but with the tightening up of regulations aud the improvements both in car design and road surface, the conclusion is inevitable that the blame does not lie wholly in that direction.

In 1932, 30 pedestrians were killed through being knocked down by motor vehicles, and the following year the total was 45. In 1934 there was a drop to 26. but in 1935 the number rose to 46, and last year to 56. No records are available of the total number of non-fatal accidents of this nature, but from the steady rise in the deaths from this cause —with the exception of 1934, when because of the depression there were fewer vehicles on flic road —it is reasonable to infer a corresponding upward tendency. According to the New Zealand Year Book, of the 820 persons killed iu motor accidents in the five years from 1932, 199 were pedestrians, 211 on motor-cycles. 310 in other motorvehicles, ami 100 were in other vehicles

or on horseback. In 33 cases the victims were children under five years of age, aud there were 45 between five and ten years, 31 between ten and 15, 5-12 between 15 and 55, and 162 55 years or over. The majority of fatal motor accidents occurred in daylight. Of the total of 778 for the five years, 429 occurred in daylight, 75 at dusk, 52 in artificial lighting and 222 in dark or moonlight. Saturday, it has been noted, records a heavier toll of motor fatalities than any other day. It is obvious, therefore, that with the increased leisure brought about by the 40-hour week there is every likelihood of an increase in Saturday accidents. The advice to pedestrians using the roads, if they do not wish to be included in the next statistical series in the Year Book, is : “Watch your step!”