DEATH ON THE ROADS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23492, 5 May 1938, Page 12

DEATH ON THE ROADS

EASTER HOLIDAY TOLL THE MENACE OF SPEED PROBLEM OF DRUNKEN DRIVER (Special to Daily Times) CHRISTCHURCH, May. 4. "Although the Easter holiday traffic rush occurred this year during April, and although there were 26,000 more motor- vehicles on the road than during April last year, the number of fatal accidents during last month showed no increase," said the Minister of Transport (Mr R. Semple) when commenting on the fact that 20 persons had been killed on the roads during April. "The death roll includes four motor cyclists, four pedestrians, three cyclists, one driver and eight passengers in motor vehicles." Mr Semple said. " Before indulging in a burst of speed drivers of motor vehicles would do well to remember that their passengers may have to take the consequences. I have been blamed," he continued, " for ' wasting' public funds on overhead bridges at level traffic crossings. Two of the five fatalities during this Easter occurred at level crossings. Surely this is evidence of the need for the elimination of these menaces to public safety. "An unfortunate feature of the number of accidents during the month was the presence of alcohol," the Minister said. "On one day alone eight drivers in various parts of New Zealand were convicted of intoxication while in charge of motor vehicles. On another day last month seven drivers on similar charges were fined a total of £165 and their licences were cancelled for an aggregate of six years. Yet even these penalties are apparently insufficient to induce a sense of responsibility or motor morality i a small but dangerous section of the community. From every part of New Zealand I have received suggestions for meeting the menace of the drunken driver, and I am giving them detailed consideration. I would appeal to the general public to co-operate with me in outlawing the drunken driver."