THE TOLL OF THE ROAD

Wairarapa Daily Times, 7 September 1937, Page 4

THE TOLL OF THE ROAD

ACCIDENT POSITION REVIEWED. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. "Ninety-two New Zealanders have been killed' and 1895 injured, 300 of them seriously, in road accidents reported during the twenty-four weeks ended 31st August,” is the announcement made by the Hon. Mr Semple, Minister of Transport. “At this rate the casualties for the full year will exceed 4000,” said the Minister. “Tragic is the only word for it. The position is better, however, than it was for the corresponding period of last year. The deaths then were 112 as compared with 92 for the present period. The efforts of the Government, the Road Safety Council, and others assisting in the campaign, have brought about this reduction notwithstanding the big increase in the volume of traffic. But none of us can afford to accept this improved 1 position as being entirely satisfactory. The total is still an alarming one, and continued and greater efforts by all are urgently necessary.

“For the 24 weeks the deaths reported are: Pedestrians 29, motorcyclists 14, push-cyclists 9, motor-driv-ers 15, passengers 25. “The injured, comprising men, women and children of various ages, and many of whom are still lying in hospital, are accounted for as follows: —Pedestrians 424, motor-cyclists 187, pillion-riders 49, pusli-cyclists 387, motor-drivers 281, passengers 551, others 16. “Significance attaches to the cabled remarks of Professor Millais, of London,” stated the Minister. “He states that motor-ears are mastering man and that human nature is failing to cope with the progress of the machine which it has created. It seems to me,” said Mr Semple, “that if our accidents continue at their present rate New Zealand will be among the countries supplying proof of the Professor’s assertion. The best advice which can be given those who wish to avoid death or injury on our highways is to read the Road Code and then make it a habit to observe the Tules which are set out in it.”