ROAD ACCIDENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 79, 30 September 1931, Page 9

ROAD ACCIDENTS

WEEK-END PEAK

SATURDAY THE WORST DAY

In a statement issued by the officers .of the Wellington Automobile Club commenting upon the marked, increase in motor fatalities last year—when 247 persons lost itheir lives—an interesting referenco is made to" week-end accidents. .'.'".■ It is remarked that'it is : generally understood that' Sundays would account for the highest number of accidents, but in fact Saturday was the worst day. Last year 55 fatalities occurred on Saturdays, while the total of Sunday (and also of Friday) fatalities was, 33. The peak period of the day was between 4 and 7 p,m. / . \. ■ _■■ ■. ■ The fact that. many accidents occurred during- the week-ends, the statenient, continues, was not difficult to explain, for it was then that inexperienced drivers were on the road, and the inexperienced driver, of course, had just as much right to be on the road to enjoy the week-end as the experienced driver. In addition, experienced drivers taking the family out in the week-end often travelled at a leisurely pace, and was it'not a fact that the experienced driver who wanted to speed up often became irritable at having to lie behind slow-driven vehicles, if only for short intervals of time 5 The consequence was that overtaking and cutting in took place, with resultant accidents. Many experienced drivers said that the slow driver was a danger on the road, but often the danger was brought about by impatience. Another factor was that during the* week-end there was prevalent a certain feeliug of freedom, and that undoubtedly had an effect on the driving of many motorists. "Road sense," essential'to successful driving, was unfortunately lacking. in many, a large percentage of whom were on the roads during week-ends. It was unfortunate, though of course inevitable, that the least experienced drivers should be on tho roads at their most congested period, but, as stated earlier, the inexperienced driver had just as much right to be on the road for enjoyment as' the old hand. Particularly at week-ends, therefore, the observance of traffic rules was essential, ■ coupled with the exercise of care, caution, and common-sense on the part of all, whether long experienced ot; new at the wheel.