Danger Of Speed On The Road

Northern Advocate, 22 April 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

Danger Of Speed On The Road

According to traffic authorities, foolish and unnecessary hurrying is responsible for two-thirds of all motor accidents. When highways and streets are dry, the risks of driving too fast for conditions are hazardous enough, but those hazards are practically doubled on wet, slippery streets. What was safe speed yesterday on dry loads is often dangerous speed to-day on wet roads, especially if one is foolish enough to drive on smooth tyres. Sudden and unexpected happenings, such as are created by reckless or inexperienced drivers, a child in the street or a careless pedestrian, present double the hazard they would on a dry road, because the ability tc stop suddenly on slippery streets is reduced by nearly 50 per cent. One of the most foolish things to do is to attempt to hurry on slippery streets. To do so may save a few seconds, maybe a minute or so. Certainly the time saved is not worth risking one’s life or limbs, or someone else’s.

Appreciation of the fact that pedestrian carelessness is to-day responsible for a high percentage of accidents in which automobiles are involved —they range as high as 75 per cent .in some of the world's big cities —should bring home to the drivers of automobiles the wisdom of never driving too fast for conditions, be the highways wet or dry.

The danger of carrying bicycles on cars was stressed recently by a Christchurch traffic inspector. He said that he had noticed a growing practice of motorists driving in their cars with bicycles tied on to the machines, either at the front or back. Not only did bicycles frequently obscure number plates, which in itself was an offence. but they projected considerably beyond the car sides, constituting a menace to pedestrians and passing vehicles.