ROAD SAFETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23047, 26 May 1938, Page 17

ROAD SAFETY

EVERYBODY'S CAMPAIGN DESIRE OF THE MINISTER MOTOR-CYCLISTS* SCHEME [nv telegraph OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "We cannot get that measure of protection necessary for the travelling public and pedestrians unless everyone regards the road safety campaign as his campaign," the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Sexnple, told a deputation representing motor-cyclists to-day, when expressing his appreciation of the motor-cyclists' offer to co-operate in every way in the efforts being made to increase road safety, the deputation, which represented the New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union, consisted of Messrs. F. Jones and A. Way. , Mr. Jones referred to the motorcyclists' road safety committee in Christchurrfli, and submitted to the Minister the suggestion that clubs set up a motor-cycle road safety committee in each centre. j\Lr. Way asked that action by the department be postponed for three or four months to allow the clubs to put their own house in order. The annual conference of motor-cycle clubs would take place during August, and it was the intention then to formulate a safety scheme which could _ be carried out throughout the Dominion. The Minister said that something had to be done in connection with motorcycles. During the period March 15, 1937, to March 31, 1938, the position was that 26 motor-cyclists and two pillion riders were killed, 177 motorcyclists and 36 pillion riders seriously injured, and 406 motor-cyclists and 145 pillion riders received minor injuries. The total number of motor vehicles on the road was 300,000, of which 26,000 were motor-cyclists, so that the proportion of accidents was very high. Mr. Semple said he considered 90 per cent of the accidents on the roads of the Dominion were preventable, and were due to the human element. There were too many people being killed on the roads, and he would be glad of the co-operation of motor-cyclo organisations to improve the position. It was the duty of every citizen to help save his fellow man and to put into actual operation the words, "I am my brother's keeper."