ROAD ACCIDENTS INCREASE

Southland Times, Issue 24575, 25 October 1941, Page 8

ROAD ACCIDENTS INCREASE

TRAFFIC DANGERS AT WEEKEND APPEAL BY MR SEMPLE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 24. “The fatal road accident figures have risen seriously in the past six weeks,” said the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, today when drawing attention to traffic dangers during the approaching holiday week-end. “Last month had the highest September total of fatalities since September- 1938,” he said. “This record has been surpassed, however, by the total of 18 deaths in the first 18 days of this month. The gravity of these figures can be seen by comparing them with the total of eight deaths for the same periods in 1939 and 1940. An even more effective contrast, however, can be seen by a comparison with the figures for the 1938 period, when 18 days passed without a single fatality. This is admittedly exceptional, but the present rising trend in fatal accidents should give all road users cause for concern, especially during the approaching long week-end. During the past two Labour Day week-ends four persons were killed and more than 100 injured (40 seriously) in road accidents. These figures in themselves should indicate the need for special care during the period.” Mr Semple said it did not appear that the blackout restrictions had had much influence on the increase in traffic fatalities. In the past eight weeks, out of 33 road deaths, thanks to warnings issued, no cyclists and only three pedestrians had been killed after dark in blackout areas. Of the three fatalities two occurred in Wellington. The number killed after dark in these areas is actually less than the figure for the corresponding period before the blackout was introduced. Car drivers and passengers are now suffering the heaviest losses and it is this class that would need to take the greatest care during the week-end. The Minister said the remarkable resemblance between the number and types of accidents during the last two Labour Day periods almost gave ground for the conclusion that “accidents repeat themselves.” He appealed to all road users to see that there would be no repetition during the next three days of the fatal and serious accidents that occurred during the Labour Day week-ends of 1939 and 1940.