SAFER ROADS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 34, 9 February 1935, Page 10

SAFER ROADS

AN OFFICIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

ACCIDENTS TO BE ANALYSED

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, January 12.

LONDON, January 12. A new line of inquiry .is about to be undertaken by the. Minister of Trans-1 port, in co-operation with the police authorities, into the ■ causes of fatal road accidents.' , Its object is to obtain information which will form the basis of further safety measures. Amongst the particulars asked for will be:— . Age of cars involved in accidents; Age,and sex of drivers; i Conduct of cyclists and: drivers': at pedestrian crossings; ■■> - ■-,■■-.--i Character, width, and condition of roads; ••■ :.■■■■■-■' -,- . . • ■■-■.■;> Mechanical defects, such as defective brakes and worn tires.; .-.-:. It is proposed to make -public from tune to time the more important facts revealed by the investigation. Meanwhile,, according to -the Ministry^ returns, the number of -road fatalities shows a marked reduction. The .deaths during the. week ended January 5 were 29 fewer .than-in the preceding seven days, whilethe number of injured was down by 91. The total of injured, 3769, is the lowest recorded since March last. ■' ." . A -feature of the present returns is that for the first time the figures for. pedestrians are separated from deaths of motorists and other; drivers/: ■-'■■■'.■ PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, When an accident occurs at a marked pedestrian crossing-place " the Chief Constable is asked to indicate-this, and also to' state whether the driver or cyclist involved failed, to stop'at the crossing. ■ If an 'accident occurs within fifty yards of an available- crossingplace, subway, or refuge, this will be stated. Where a local or general speed limit is in operation this will be shown. Under the heading,' "Direction or course of vehicle," information will be furnished_oa.the,following, among other points:— ..... , Not. slowing down at'pedestrian cross-ing-place; -: ■'■'■■. -"-■• ■'■''■■'''■ '■'■ Emerging from minor road into major road;;tuming to right;.(dr..left); Roads of equal importance; turning to right (or left). Where a driver is reported to have been fatigued,, details of the how's, of driving are. required. : "Causes contributory to the accident" include such items as.failing to reduce speed sufficiently when dazzled by headlights of" oncoming vehicle.