TEN DEATHS IN TEN DAYS

Evening Star, Issue 23099, 27 October 1938, Page 15

TEN DEATHS IN TEN DAYS

ROAD TRAGEDIES WARNING BY MINISTER INNOCENT LIVES SACRIFICED TO FALSE GODS (Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Oct. 26 “ Something must be done about the drunken driver on the highways,” said the Minister of Transport (Mi R. Semple) to-day, reviewing the motoring casualties during the last week-end holidays. “ Innocent lives are not going to be sacrificed on the road to the gods of speed and drink,” the Minister said. “ 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. “ There were four fatal road accidents during the week-end, six lives being sacrificed. There were also four fatal accidents on the roads during the Labour Day week-end last year, but only one life was lost in each accident. During the Labour Day week-end last year 109 persons were injured in traffic mishaps. The injury rate this year appears to have been equally heavy. During the first half of this month New Zealand put up a wonderful road-safety record by completing 19 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 10 deaths on the road during the past 10 days, four of these occurring between 6 o’clock and 11 last Saturday evening. “ Reports have reached me from all 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.” 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.