THE WORST HOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 204, 29 July 1939, Page 6

THE WORST HOUR

TRAFFIC HAZARDS. ' EFFECT OF DARKNESS. . “The latest figures indicate that accident " hazards increase very substantially alter dark,” said the Munster ot Transport (Hon. R. Semple) to-day. “An examination lias been made of more than TOGO traffic accidents that happened last year,” said Mr Semple. “Tlie number ol accidents has been found to vary almost in direct proportion to tlie density of traffic during the hours of daylight. Immediately after sunset, however, the number of accidents in proportion to traffic increases considerably. Taken over the whole year, the hour between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. was easily the worst ol the day. In urban areas, the next worst period was between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. One-third of all accidents occurred between 5 o’clock and 8 o’clock at night. “From the figures, neither drivers, cyclists nor pedestrians appreciate the effect that darkness lias upon road habits. With the oncoming of darkness, the accident rate soared during April and May, which were easily the worst months of the year, and had a much higher accident total than tlie holiday months of December and January. “In addition to lack of visibility at night, which is undoubtedly the main reason for the increase in night accidents, other factors also contribute to some degree.” said the Minister. “These include fatigue, liquor, and the greater frequence of ‘joy-riding’ at night.” 0 Mr Semple said that pedestrian and cycle accidents at night were much more common during the winter months than in the summer. In the months from April to October there were 314 pedestrian casualties at night. In June, and July 124 pedestrians were killed or injured at night. An analysis of the 11.3 pedestrian night accidents during these two months reveals the following facts: — 1. One accident in every 8 ended fatally. 2. In 91 eases but of 113. the pedestrian was crossing the roadway—in most cases without exorcising due care. 3. In 16 instances the pedestrian was intoxicated. 4. Inattentive driving by the motorist was bis most frequent contributory , fault. ! 5. The treat ter was wet in more than a third of these cases. INJURY TO CYCLISTS. The bicyclist dues not use the road ! after darn to as great ail extent as i the pedestrian, the Aimister said, but 1 nevertheless throughout.the year nearly j 30 per cent, of the cyclists involved in accidents were injured during the hours of darkness. Mom April to July, 163 cycle casualties occurred at niglit and 232 in the daytime. I “Generally, the severity of accidents is greater at night than during davsaid Air Semple. “In the daytime, there was one fatal accident tor every 23 non-fatal, but at night every fiiteenLh accident proved fatal. Although only 36 per cent, of all _accideuts happened at night, over 47 per cent, of all fatalities occurred between sunset and sunrise.” j The following measures have been ’ suggested as being vital for improving conditions of saiety at niglit, said Air Semple:— 1. Provision of a. modern highway lighting system on rural highways carrying a considerable volume ol night traffic. j 2. Improvement of the standard ol ■ street lighting in the cities and other ■ towns. 3. Proper adjustment, maintenianco and control of headlights on motor-vehicles. | 4. Exercise of greater care on the part of motorists, pedestrians and and cyclists: (a) Atotorists should ■ drive at a reduced speed to allow for th(> great reduction in visibility at night. (I>) 'The pedestrian should remember that tlie motorist- often cannot .sec him and should make allowance accordingly. For his own projteetion it is desirable that light-col-oured clothing should be worn at niglit |by a pedestrian. A light-colou'vd overcoat or stockings will reveal the l presence of a pedestrian under conditions where one clad in darker clothes would be quite invisible to the driver of a motor-vehicle. Where no lootpath is available, pedestrians on rural 'roads at niglit. would be well advised to carry a torch. Unless there is a bank on the right-band side, it is generally safer to walk on that- side, facing oncoming traffic, (c) The cyclist, as well as rickng with _ greater care, should ensure that his bicycle is fitted with a- properly adjusted reflector and the regulation white mudguard As .nil addition lo the reflector, a red tail light is rocommrdned.