MOTOR TRAFFIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20880, 9 November 1937, Page 9

MOTOR TRAFFIC

SAFETY BEFORE SPEED APPEAL BY MINISTER “There is more need than ever for motorists to put safety before speed. The Government, through its engineers, is trying to make the highways safer.” An appeal to motorists to realise the increased road risks brought about by the improved weather during the summer months, is contained in a statement issued by the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple). Commenting on the fact that more deaths were recorded last month from accidents in which cars crashed over banks or capsized- than were recorded from all causes, including collisions and pedestrian fatalities, during the corresponding month last year, the Minister reminds motorists of their responsibility to keep the highways safe and the need for increased care.

“During October, 1936, accidents of all kinds to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, resulted in 12 deaths,” the statement continues. "During October of this year, there were 13 deaths of motorists alone, from what is virtually one cause—cars getting out of control and crashing over banks or capsizing. Forty-four non-collislon—that is onevehicle accidents—were reported to the Transport Department during the month, and there have been 227 since March. To these must be added the accidents in which the vehicle left the road and struck a fixed object—a total of 27 last month and 122 since March. These figures demonstrate that it is not always the other fellow who is to blame. These were all 'one fellow' accidents, and very many of them occurred on the open road. The temptation to ‘step on the gas’ is irresistible to many, but these can be just a few of the results of failure to adapt speed to the road conditions. Last Month's Figures

“Three hundred and seven accidents causing injury to 427 persons were reported to the Transport Department last month; this represents an average of 14 persons injured every day. Twelve deaths resulted from traffic accidents during October last year. This October, 21 fatalities were reported to the department. The October death rate, therefore, has jumped by 75 per cent.

"Last month proved to be the best weather month in New Zealand’s meteorological history. It was also one of our worst accidents months,” said Mr Semple. “October last year was a poor weather but safe motoring month compared with it. Most of the fatalities last month occurred out of the cities. Nearly half of them happened on Saturday. Sunday was the next worst day. All but four of the fatal accidents not involving pedestrians occurred during week-ends. “This increase in the number of fatalities, especially during the weekends, has coincided with the fine weather, an increase in the number of vehicles on the road, and the increase in the average mileage for each vehicle which is permitted by the now longer week-end. Possibly, road users have not realised the increased risk of the summer months, but the week-end exodus has only just begun. With fine weather ahead and still more vehicles on the road, the need for the greatest possible precaution on everyone’s part in the near future becomes absolutely imperative. “Heavy road traffic does not necessarily involve road accidents. Experience on race days and during the recent Rugby football tests indicated clearly that when discipline is imposed, roads even under very heavy traffic conditions can be comparatively free from accidents. It is to be concluded therefore, that unless motorists are constantly attended by traffic officers they will elect to take risks.

“I am greatly concerned, as many motorists must be, at what awaits the motoring public in the fine summer months ahead. After due consideration I have resolved to instruct the department’s traffic officers, while continuing their educational work, to start immediately upon the sorting out of those whose negligent driving shows that they «hould be taken before the Courts. There, the question will be whether or not they should be allowed to retain possession of their licenses during the peak period of the holidays. I feel that is unfair and altogether unreasonable, that careful drivers, who constitute the majority, and their families, should be left open to slaughter at the hands of those who are reckless and careless. Reckless motorists themselves may realise upon reflection that a good turn will be done them if they are saved from the results of their own rashness."