N.Z.’S MOTOR DEATH ROLL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 November 1927, Page 13

N.Z.’S MOTOR DEATH ROLL.

DECREASE SHOWN. FIGURE'S FOR CHIEF OTTtE'S. A" decrease in the number of motor fatalities in the chief cities of the Dominion is slunvn in the vital statistics for the first nine months of 1927, as compared with the same period last year.

Auckland shows a marked decrease, only 18 deaths by motor accidents being recorded this year as against 2S last year. Wellington declined from 12 to 9, but Christchurch and Dunedin show a small increase. The totals are as follows, last year’se figures appearing in parenthesis: "Auckland IS (28). Wellington 9 (12). Christchurch 7 (•">). Dunedin 7 (5), Hamilton 1 (1), Gisborne 1 (1), Napier 0 (2), Hastings 0 (2), New Plymouth 0 (4), Wanganui 3 (1), Palmerston North 0 (3), Nelson 0 (0), Timaru 0 (1), Invercargill 3 (1). Total: 1927, 49; 1926, 66. The motor death toll for the four chief centres in 8.9 per 100,000 in Auckland. 8.4 in Dunedin, 7.1 in Wellington, and 5.7 in Christchurch.

It is very satisfactory to note by the above figures compiled by the motor editor of the “Dominion” that in spite of the fact that there are more motor vehicles in Auckland than elsewhere in the Dominion the accidents are declining. It must be remembered, however, that Auckland still heads the list of fatalities on a population basis with 5.9 per 100,000. Too much care cannot be taken by drivers, more especially in the city and suburban areas, school children calling for especial attention, ns they usually rush across a road after waiting to see one way clear, and forget there are two lines of traffic. Another case for care is when running through small towns. A sad case occurred recently in the Waikato, when a little fellow riding a tricycle was knocked down and killed outright by a motor car. Tffe lad was carrying a coffee urn on his tricycle, which obscured his vision, but the motorist was not carrying a coffee urn. No, wo must be more careful, and do our best to further reduce the toll of the motor.