MOUNTING TOLL OF LIFE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1930, Page 11

MOUNTING TOLL OF LIFE

INVESTIGATION PLANNED ;

VARIOUS PARTIES TO CONFER.

MINISTER SEEKS STATISTICS.

By Telegranh—Press Association Wellington, Last Night.

“The public will not stand the increasing toll of accidents for ever,” said the Chief Justice yesterday at Palmerston North when urging caution on motorists. Speaking in a similar vein the Minister of Transport (the Hon. W. A. Veitch) said: "It is unnecessary at this juncture to emphasise the mounting toll of life and property due to motor accidents. The Press reminds us daily of the loss of human :life and the damage to property, while "our owii knowledge indicates the great amount of human sutiering that follows every serious accident.

"The problem -.appears to be worldwide. Every country that has adopted motor transport to any great extent l<as had to face heavy loss in capital, human and economic. The officers of the Transport Department, have been directing their attention to the prevention of accidents since the inception of the department. The protection of life and property is tho dominating principle in the administration of' the traffic regulations. It has', however, been felt for some time that the accident problem should bo submitted to more scientific treatment than is the ease at the present time, it is proposed therefore to convene a conference of interested parties to go into ‘ the question and, inter alia, to establish a comprehensive and reliable system of statistics, which should yield complete information on every aspect of the problem.” In reply to questions the Minister said that its- enforcement was as important as the law' itself and must be equally considered. Regulations, enforcement and penalty must under a proper system be brought into line.