Traffic Accidents

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 61, 14 March 1938, Page 8

Traffic Accidents

REGRETTABLE FEATURES LAST MONTH From Our Own CurresDondentNAPir*\ March 12. “Although there were 25,000 more cars on the road during February than in the corresponding month last year, there were fewer deaths ’’ said the Minister of Transport., the Hon. R. Semple, in a statement made this morning. “Twenty-one persons died as a result of traffic accident.-, in February, 1936. 22 in February, 1937, and 19 last month," continued Mr Semple. “Bicycles and pedestrians made up half the total—a very high percentage. Almost all ol the balance were ‘one-driver accidents* —fatal skids and crashes resulting tn most cases from speeds faster than the road could take. Motor-cyclists were involved in four of the fatal accidents. "The reduction in the fatality rate is very encouraging, but there are two regrettable features of the month’s accidents,” said the Minister. “The first is the number of casualties to children. Education authorities are collaborating in special measures designed to educate children in road conduct. I have in*, structed my own department to produce a poster drawing the attention of drivers to the dangers of not slowing down when approaching schooJs. "The other feature is that alcohol was associated with a number of fatal and serious accidents during the momh. There have been nearly 200 fatal road accidents involving alcohol since 1933. “I have just read that in Manitoba. if a driver is convicted of driving while intoxicated, he is (a) gaoled for ope week, (b.) his car is taken away from him for three months, and (c) his driver’s licence ia revoked for six months. A reduction of 75 per cent. In the number of fatalities involving drunken driving is officially stated to have resulted from the introduction of the syste n. The problem of the intoxicated driver is very serious at the present time. I should be glad to receive from any citizens any criticism or comment on the above or any alternative scheme for meeting the problem.”