MOTOR-CAR ACCIDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18297, 13 January 1923, Page 11

MOTOR-CAR ACCIDENTS.

VICTORIA'S LONG LIST.

Startling figures have been prepared by the traffic branch of the Police Department, says the Melbourne Argus. In the llj months ended December 16 a total of 785 motor-car accidents occurred in Victoria, and 44 proved fatal. In tho first six months of the year there were 321 accidents and 17 deaths, and since July 1 there were 464 accidents and 27 deaths. These totals are made up as follow — Pedestrians struck by cars (31 fatal) 283 Collisions between cars and vehicles 146 Collisions between cars . . - . 87 Collisions between cans and bicycles 70 Collisions between cars and motorbicycles ... •' 58 Collisions between cars and cable trams ; 55 Cars overturning . . . • . • Hi The increase in the number of accidents is out of proportion to the increase in the number of cars. The. number of cars in Victoriai increased by about 25 per cent, during the year, but in the iast six months accidents increased by 50 per cent. Until recently the entrance to tho police barracks through which all applicants for registration had to paiss was a serious danger spot, and several accidents occurred there during the year. In one accident a pedestrian had a. leg broken in four places. The entrance has now been made safe. The worst danger spot .in the city is the intersection of Swanston Street and Flinders Street. Almost every variety of street accident occurs there -frequently. The Bourke Street and Swanston Street crossing is another danger spot. Drunkenness on the part of the victim or the driver accounts for a number of accidents.