WORLD MOTOR ACCIDENTS

Grey River Argus, 1 September 1938, Page 12

WORLD MOTOR ACCIDENTS

DEATHS PER 10,000 VEHICLES. The following figures from the National Safety Council of the U.S.A, are interesting and show that the standard of driying in our country is of a high standard. The figures are based on statistics gathered during the year 1936. ■ New Zealand 7.5 Canada 10- 5 Union of S. Africa .. U-2 Denmark 12.5 Norway - 12.8 U.S.A 13-0 Australia 1 6 - 8 Sweden 23.1 England and Wales .. 24.6 Irish Free State ..... 26.0 Chili 31.4 Scotland 34.8 Germany 42.4 Belguim 43.6 Switzerland 49.1 Netherlands • • 51.5 Ceylon 55.5 Italy It is interesting to try to decide on the reason for the relatve positions of some of the countries on the list. For instance, we note that Scotland has 34.8 against England’s 24.6. From this it would appear that the Scot is not so canny when he is in his motor car. The death rate in Italy is highest on the list and one might be tempted to say that this is due to the hilly nature of the country, but this view is somewhat upset when >it is noticed that the Netherlands, which country is dead flat, is well up in the list. Whatever the reasons for the positions on the list it is a significant fact that the Dominions are, by comparison, safe countries to drive in.