STERN WARNING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1938, Page 9

STERN WARNING

DRUNKEN DRIVERS

MINISTER WILL ACT

SAFETY ON ROAD

f "I am going to do everything in my power to put the drunken driver where he will not be able to imperil the lives of careful and courteous road-users," declared the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Sempie) in a warning issued yesterday. "Innocent lives are not going to be sacrificed to the gods of speed and drink.

"There were four fatal road accidents during the Labour Day weekend, six lives being sacrificed," said Mr. Sempie. "During the Labour Day weekend last year there were also four fatal accidents on the roads, but only one life was lost in each accident. There were two double fatalities this year. During the Labour Day weekend last year 109 persons were injured in traffic mishaps. The injury rate this year appeared to have been equally heavy. "During the first half of this month, he continued. "New Zealand put up a wonderful road-safety record by completing nineteen days without a single traffic fatality. This record followed another fine performance during September, which, from the fatality figures, was the safest month since November, 1936. These fine records, however, have been marred by ten deaths on the road during the past ten days, four of these occurring between 6 \ o'clock and 11 o'clock last Saturday evening. „ "Reports have reached me from an over New Zealand regarding the number of vehicles that on Saturday afternoon were in charge of intoxicated drivers. This is serious enough at any time, but when this form of irresponsibility is combined with heavy holiday traffic the result is disastrous. In Auckland alone there were six arrests for intoxication-in-charge between 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon and early, the following Sunday morning. There are nine drunk-in-charge cases pending in Auckland, and a considerable number in other centres." NOTICES IN BARS. The Minister said that the New Zealand Licensed Victuallers' Association recognised the seriousness of the position, and had undertaken to display in every hotel bar in New Zealand two posterettes prepared by the Transport Department. "This, howeveiv is not enough," said Mr. Sempie. "I am going to do everything in my power to put the drunken driver where he will not be able to imperil the lives of careful and courteous road-users. ' '■ ' "My Department has done everything possible to warn motorists against taking liquor before driving. The Safety Council has made numerous appeals, and I, as Minister, have consistently asked this type of driver to play the game.

"We would prefer these people to take the warning', but it seems to me that, as Minister of Transport, I will be forced to use my powers to prevent this ruthless destruction of human life by those who have no respect for their own lives or the lives of others."