21 DEATHS IN MAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23061, 11 June 1938, Page 16

21 DEATHS IN MAY

TOLL OF THE KOAD

REVIEW BY MR. SEMPLE

MORE COURTESY SHOWN :

[by TELEGRAPH—rRESS association] WELLINGTON. Friday

"Twenty-one persons were killed on the roads last month, compared with 28 during May last year," said the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, to-day. "The improvement in road courtesy between drivers of ;notor vehicles is shown by the fact that during the month there were only two fatal collisions between motor vehicles, and in both these motor-cycles were involved, Three motor-cyclists wero killed during the King's Birthday week-end. "Motorists aro to bo congratulated upon the courtesy shown when danger was apparent," said Mr. Semple. "The oncoming of darkness after tho long days of summer, however, created a danger that was not properly appreciated by any class of road user. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists did not make duo allowance for tho decreased visibility in the late afternoon and early evening, What was the result? Thirteen fatal accidents occurred in the dark, t Most Fatalities at Night

"Thirteen of the 21 who died wero cyclists or pedestrians. All of the motor-cycle fatalities, five of the eight cyclists' fatal accidents and three of the five pedestrian deaths occurred at hight time. Darkness camo upon most roadusers unawares. They went their accustomed ways oblivious to tho decreased visibility, cyclists riding with-, out reflectors or lights, pedestrians not keeping to footpaths, motorists not reducing speed when an emergency occurred. It was frequently too late to avoid tragedy. "The same conditions will prevail for another two months and may be further complicated by winter frosts, sleet or rain. Unless allowance is made for these, especially in built up areas, the heavy death roll will continue. "During tho month there was an improvement in the accident rate on main highways," continued the . Minister. "Built up areas claimed 15 of the 21 lives lost during May. There were five fatal accidents in the built up areas of Auckland, four in Palmerston North, and three in Invercargill. On a population basis the death rate for the latter cities was very high. Advice to Gyclfsts

"While there has been improvement in the pedestrian accident rate compared with May last year, accidents to cyclists have not shown the same improvement. The increase in the number of bicycles on the roads and the greater number of car§ using the same roads have substantially increased tho cycling risk. "There is less excuse now than there ever was for cyclists riding without lights, red reflectors and white mudguards. The speed of traffic has also increased and there is a much greater need, especially at night, for bicyclists to signal their turns. I hope cyclists during the next months will take these precautions and will look after their own lives. The rate of one cyclist killed every four days is far too great."