LONDON STREET ACCIDENTS.

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1924, Page 8

LONDON STREET ACCIDENTS.

THE INCAUTIOUS PEDESTRIAN.

A discussion took place in the House of Lords on the question of street accidents recently. In reply to the points raised, Lord De La Warr, on behalf of the Government, said that at present investigation tended to suggest that where congestion occurred, which invariably necessitated police control, the accidents of a serious nature were less numerous than in places where there was no actual congestion necessitating constant police regulation. As to the distribution of accidents throughout the week, the police had compiled the following figures relating to fatal accidents from the returns of .1923: Sunday, 56; Monday, OS; Tuesday, Sl : ; Wednesday, 106; Thursday, 97; I"n----day, .115; Saturday, 115: The problem of accidents offered a wide field for investigation, and, in the opinion of the Home Secretary, might well be referred to the London Trafficc Advisory Committee when that budv was set up. Of (i(iS fatal accidents in 1923, no fewer than 455 occurred to pedestrians, lnquirv in cases of this kind showed almost invariably that it was an incautious act of the victim that led to the accident. Ninety-five riders of pedal cycles were killed during 192.'!, and this seemed to point to this method of locomotion being ill-adapted to the busy streets of the Metropolis. It was impossible to impress on people too much that their safety depended on their own actions and that they must

exercise the utmost care

Referring to some jocular allusions which were made during the debate to a member of the other House (Viscount Curzon), Lord De La Warr said he happened to know that particular member, and although he held no brief for hiiu, he understood he had never had an accident. Many people failed to distinguish between those who were not skilled in driving and those who drove fast, and it was very often the people who drove fast who had the nerve to know what to do when something did happen. At the present moment the police had the power to stop a motorist when going too fast, using their own judgment.

Replying to Lord Beauchnmp as to the desirability of issuing a circular to quarter sessions suggesting that Magistrates should suspend the licenses for considerable periods in cases of serious offences, Lord De La Warr promised to lay the matter before the Home Secretary.