MORE FATALITIES INFEBRUARY

Southland Times, Issue 23773, 22 March 1939, Page 5

MORE FATALITIES INFEBRUARY

21 PERSONS KILLED IN ACCIDENTS RELAXATION OF PUBLICITY BLAMED (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, March 21. Fatal road accidents in New Zealand fell to a total of 11 in January last, this drop from 19 in the previous month being attributed to the influence of the “Road Safety Week” observed throughout New Zealand during December. Figures released today by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) show that for the period August 1938 to February 1939 the monthly totals of fatal accidents are, with the sole exception of February, lower than the earlier months of the statistical year. The December-January fatality figure, in fact, was the lowest recorded since such statistics have been compiled. A reduction of more than 200 cases of injury is noted in the 10 weeks following “Road Safety Week.” Mr Semple announced that the cost of “Road Safety Week” was less than £2OOO, On an actuarial basis the saving in human life during that period following this campaign was £25-,000 and this figure represents a reduction in fatalities only. The loss through casualties and property damage would add considerably to the figure. After January’s small total of 11 lives lost, the February figure rose sharply to 21. A review of the half-year, in explaining this, points out that a set sum was apportioned for road safety expenditure up to March 31. This sum was practically exhausted by the “Road Safety Week” demonstration. By the end of January the fund had all been used and publicity had to be relaxed.. The immediate result was an increase in the number of fatal accidents, which, in February, were almost double the number in January, despite the density of the holiday traffic in the earlier month.

Christchurch has the unenviable position of the scene of most accidents during the past six months. The number of fatalities in the Christchurch metropolitan built-up area was eight. Wellington followed with seven and then came Dunedin, three, and Hamilton two. Accidents in built-up areas totalled 46, compared with 65 on the open road. Of the open road fatalities, 53 occurred in the North Island and only 12 in the South. In towns the pedestrian contributed very heavily to the total. On the open road, however, it was the occupants of motor-vehicles who swelled the total, no fewer than 55 of the .78 who were killed on the road being either drivers or passengers. In 54 per cent, of the total fatal accidents on the open road there was no second party to the accident, the motor-vehicle overturning, going over a bank or crashing in to a pole or some other object. Nine motor-cyclists and one pillion rider were killed in towns and exactly the same number in the country. Bicycle fatalities were largely confined to the towns.