ROAD ACCIDENTS

Southland Times, Issue 25359, 10 August 1935, Page 5

ROAD ACCIDENTS

FIGURES ANALYSED 49 PER CENT. CAUSED BY PEDESTRIANS MINISTRY’S REPORT (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, August 8. Figures have been issued by the Ministry of Transport analysing 1500 fatal road accidents which occurred in the first part of this year. The analysis is based on police reports. The sole or main causes to which accidents were attributed were: Per cent. Errors of drivers 25.1 Errors of pedal cyclists 15-9 Errors of pedestrians 49.1 Faults in vehicles or equip- * ment 3.7 Road conditions 0-5 Animals 1-0 Other causes 4.7 Of the pedestrians killed 85.1 per cent, were themselves the sole or main cause of the accidents. The victims of fatalities were: 55.9 per cent, pedestrians, 20.2 per cent, cyclists, 12.9 per cent, motor-cyclists, 6.2 per cent, passengers and 4.8 per cent, drivers. Of the pedestrians killed 30.2 per cent, were under 15 years and 49.4 per cent, were over 55. Among the errors of drivers excessive speed is stated to have been responsible for more accidents than any other single error, while pedestrians crossing the road with apparent inattention to traffic was an error which caused twice as many fatalities as any other. Of the fatal accidents reviewed 30.4 per cent, occurred at crossroads or road junctions and 6.2 per cent, on straight roads or bends with a good sight of the line. The worst period of the day for accidents is between five and seven o’clock in the evening.