FALLS FROM TRUCKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22586, 15 March 1948, Page 3

FALLS FROM TRUCKS

‘ALARMINGLY PREVALENT’ FATALITIES ON THE ROAD “Traffic accidents during February took the lives of 12 people in New Zealand,” said Mr. F. Hackett, Minister of Transport, in a statement to the press. "This brings the 1948 deaths from road accidents to a total of 27, an increase of five over the same period last year.” Of those killed, five were the drivers of motor vehicles, four were pedestrians, and two were passengers. One motor cyclist was killed.

“Two of the fatalities occurred through people falling from the trays of moving trucks,” said the Minister. “This type of accident is becoming alarmingly prevalent. There seem to be far too many people riding carelessly on the trays of trucks, and since January, 1947, 15 people have been killed in falls of this type.”

Commenting on those accidents, the Minister pointed out that very few trucks were provided with hand-grips, and that standing on the tray of a fast moving vehicle with no hand supports was a hazardous venture. He also referred to the dancers of any insecure seat which might over-balance, throwing the passenger off the vehicle.

“I would urge everyone, either as drivers or passengers on motor-trucks, to take extra care and ensure that there is no likelihood 0 f an accident occurring,” said Mr. Ttackett. “Where passengers are permitted to ride on the tray of a truck adequate safety precautions must be taken and passengers are advised to make sure of a firm seat from which they cannot be easily thrown.”