ROAD ACCIDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Volume 25205, Issue 25205, 20 April 1943, Page 3

ROAD ACCIDENTS

HEAVY TOLL IN BRITAIN (Rec. 7 p.m.) RUGBY, Apl. 18. Mr L. Hore-Belisha, M.P., speaking in support of the campairn to prevent road accidents, said that, while the United Kingdom armed forces suffered 145,012 casualties in killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing in the first two year’s of the war, during 1942 there were 147.544 killed and injured on the roads. Carelessness exacted a heavier toll than valour. The reasons for the increased casualties in war-time, he said, were the black-out, cessation of road improvements and signposting, the additional duties of the police, and fewer car repairing facilities. One-sixth of the casualties were children under 15 year& of age.

The disturbing significance of this recurrent loss, Mr Hore-Belisha added, was underlined when put in conjunction with the falling birth rate. In 1901 there were more than five children under 15 for every person over 60 in Great Britain, but now there were fewer than two children for every old person. In 30 years there would be more persons over 60 than under 16. In 1901 6 per cent, were over 60; today the figure was 12 per cent. In a generation from now 20 per cent, would be over 60, and the process, unless arrested, would lead to national extinction.