Checks Show Many Over Speed Limit

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 14

Checks Show Many Over Speed Limit

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 30. Secret checks on vehicle speeds in New Zealand have shown that between 25 per cent and 50 per cent, of motorists exceed the 50 miles an hour speed limit on favourable sections of road. An average of about 15 per cent, exceed '54 miles an hour, and up to 10 per cent, exceed 60 miles an hour.

The checks were made by the Transport Department on sections of straight road in fine weather and light traffic conditions in order to get an accurate picture of speed limit observance throughout the country. This is disclosed in a report from the Commissioner of Transport (Mr A. E. Forsyth) which will be before next Thursday’s meeting of the New Zealand Road Safety Council when it considers representations that the 50 miles an hour speed limit should be increased. The proposal by the North and South Island Motor Unions, was turned down by the council at its May meeting last year, but the unions

have asked that the matter be reconsidered.

The whole question of speed limits in relation to road safety is surveyed in the commissioner’s report. An analysis of information received from North America and Australia shows that the most common limit was 60 miles an hour, while the next most general limit was 50 miles an hour. The report quotes the tollowing effect of rural speed limits on accidents in the United States: No dallying speed limit, 66 rural deaths a 100 000 population; 70 miles per hour, 28 deaths; 60 miles per hour, 22 deaths: 50 miles per hour. 13 deaths. The comparable New Zealand rate is nine deaths a 160,000. Statistics show that; generally, the lower the speed the lower the fatality rate.