TOLL OF THE ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23718, 26 July 1940, Page 10

TOLL OF THE ROAD

BURDEN TO COUNTRY HEAVY ECONOMIC LOSS 183 KILLED SINCE WAR BEGAN I [by TELEGRAPH ntESS association] WELLINGTON, Thursday Road accidents had cost the country over three-quarters of a million pounds since the outbreak of war, said the Minister of Transport, the Hon. 11. Semple, to-day. "There have been more than 2500 casualties, including 183 deaths, on the roads, since the war hegan," said Mr. Semple. "Most of those killed and injured were adults. The resultant economic loss from permanent and temporary incapacity is especially serious in this time of emergency. ' "In spite of po'trol rationing 24 persons have been killed and almost 500 injured on the roads during the past six weeks," the Minister added. "Nearly half of those who lost their lives were pedestrians. This indicates that pedestrians do not sufficiently appreciate tlie increased danger in winter time, when longer hours of darkness and poor visibility make them specially liable to injury. In rural areas pedestrians should walk on the right hand side of the road and either wear light coloured clothing or carry a torch. In town areas they should keep to the footpath and use pedestrial crossings. "At least two of the accidents last month were due to motorists travelling too fast," said the Minister. "Such excessive speed is doubly wasteful. It destroys lives and it squanders petrol."