MOTOR CYCLE ACCIDENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 March 1938, Page 2

MOTOR CYCLE ACCIDENTS

YOUTHFUL RIDERS CHIEFLY TO BLAME MINISTER S APPEAL TO DEALERS A statement about road accidents to motor cyclists and pillion riders wa made yesterday by the Minister of Transport. Hon R. Semple, whose at tention was drawn to the fad lhat four persons had been killed during the week-end. "It is useless lor motor cyclists to complain to me about the recent Road Safety Council's criticism while the present fata! accident rate to motor cyclists continues.*' said the Minister. "More persons have been killed this month in motor cycle accidents than in all other traffic mishaps "The accident figures for the last 10 months show that motor cyclist* are nearly three times as liable to injury as »s the driver or passenger in the private car. In their exposed position they are particularly vulnerable A dealer recently protested to me that the motor cycle in expert hands is the salcst machine in the world' No doubt in expert hands it is. but the average age ot motor cyclists and pillion riders killed between Ist April ana 31st December last was 20 years More than half of those involved in motor cycle accidents, fatal and non-falal. during that period had less than two years' riding experience. Many of the riders were in their 'teens and had brer, ion their machines only a lew monthThe accident figures show beyond any doubt that it was the young, inexperienced motor cyclists who were involved in most ot th«» smashes "The older riders had comparatively j lew accidents." the Minister continued "The Road Safety Council recently dis | cussed the imposition ol a special speed limit of 40 miles an hour for motor cycles. It has been suggested, how ever, that education should be the first step. It is better than a person should do something because he feels that it is right rather than because of the pres sure of compulsion. lam convinced that provision will have to be made loi the future by the education of the new rider in the proper use of the road and I am considering a scheme for the provision ot interesting and inexpensive lectures in this subject before a new license is granted. "In the meantime, however. I would ; appeal to all dealers in motor cycles: Never let a young and inexperienced | driver go on to the road without Iclli ing him what constitutes an unjusliI ti.*ble risk and without explaining the mei ning of road sense and road courtesy. Restrictions on motor cycling I will not benefit the industry. The j ctcnler should remember that the lesson j Lbc \oung rider learns from experience ’ ma\ be his last."