BLACK-OUT CARE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 86, 8 October 1941, Page 9

BLACK-OUT CARE

ACCIDENTS REDUCED

SPEED RESTRICTIONS

NO ALTERATION

A decision to withhold proposed further limitations on motor vehicle speeds in the meantime was announced by the Minister of Transport (Mr. Semple) yesterday, when i he commented on the excellent results of the care of travellers on the roads during the past eight weeks. For eight weeks there had not been i. single fatal accident to pedestrians or cyclists in restricted lighting areas, he said, and it was because of this that the recommendations of the New Zealand Road Safety Council for further restrictions in speed were not being put into operation. The good record established had j been broken last Friday night, but, in spite of that, the record over the whole period was one of which to be proud. The habits of carrying a torch or of wearing something white, and of taking greater care on the roads at night, had produced their own reward. "Appreciation is especially due to i the radio authorities, the Press, and theatre proprietors for bringing these necessary precautions to the notice of road users," the Minister said. "Thanks must also be given to local bodies for distributing 250,000 leaflets on this subject." It was partly due to the educational campaign that the accident position had been so greatly improved, the Minister added. During last July there had been seven fatalities to pedestrians and cyclists after dark in black-out areas. Although it was not thought necessary to impose fresh speed limits, caution should not be relaxed. The campaign was being continued with the distribution of 16,000 windshield stickers bearing the slogan, "Watch Out in the Black Out."