ROAD FATALITIES

Evening Star, Issue 22459, 2 October 1936, Page 11

ROAD FATALITIES

BRITAIN LAST YEAR THE MINISTRY'S REPORT PRINCIPAL CAUSES The Ministry of Transport’s report on fatal road accidents in 1935, recently issued, analyses the causes and circumstances of 6,289 accidents in which 6,477 persons were killed. The figures are compared with those of a similar inquiry into road deaths in 1933. Persons killed in the two years under review are classified as follows:

Of tho public vehicles only 34 were taxi cabs. DAYTIME DANGERS. More than 33 per cent, of the acci-. dents were the result of collision between moving vehicles. Collisions between a moving vehicle and a pedestrian formed 47.2 per cent, of the total. Of the total accidents, 1,883, or 30 per cent., occurred at road junctions; 3,885, or nearly 62 per cent., on straight roads or open road bends with good sight lines; and 62.3 per cent, in built-up areas. Over half the accidents, 58 per cent., occurred hi daylight, and nearly 79 per cent, in clear weather. In wet weather—rain, hail,- or snow —there were 12.5 per cent., and only 2 per cent, in fog or mist. Of the 2.324 accidents—37 per cent, of the total—during the hours of darkness, 856 wore in areas not built-up, and of these 74 occurred where street lighting was provided. Of the accidents, 3,736 occurred in very light traffic, and 2,281 when the density of traffic was moderate. Only 213 took place in dense traffic, MOST DANGEROUS HOUR, From Monday to Friday the most dangerous hour is between 5 and 6 p.m.; the second most dangerous is between 10 and 11 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays, and on bank holidays more accidents occur in the latter hour than in any other period. Accidents between 11,30 p.m. and 7 a.m.—when the sounding of

motor horns is prohibited in built-up areas—totalled 373, compared with 387 in 1933. Saturday had the worst record of any day of the week, with an average of 25 fatal accidents. Friday came next with 18.4. Sunday had the lowest average with 13.9, compared with 15.8 in 1933. The average for bank holidays throughout 1935 was 20, compared with 21.7 in 1933. Women formed less than 5 per cent, of the total number of drivers—including pedal cyclists—involved in accidents. They numbered 403, compared with 8,298 male drivers. The most common age group among drivers was 21 to 30 years, their accidents numbering 3,002. Nearly one-third of the pedal cyclists involved were, however, under 18 years of age. They numbered 515, while 145 were of 60 years and over. Of the motor cyclists, 127, or 8.5 per cent., had held a driving license for less than six months; of the drivers of other motor vehicles 106, or 2 per cent., were in that position. Deaf drivers involved in accidents numbered 43, and 20 were blind in one eye. About 3 per cent, of drivers of motor vehicles involved in fatal accidents had been previously convicted of dangerous or careless driving, or for being under the influence of drink or drugs. CHILDREN’S DEATH-ROLL. Tables show that the death curve among pedestrians descends rapidly after the age of 11 years, and reaches its lowest point between the ages of 20 and 25 years. It then gradually rises again, steepening beyond the age of 50 years. The number of children killed, the report states, is particularly disturbing. Of pedestrians killed 314, or more than 10 per cent., were under the age of five, while 541, or more than 17 per cent., were between five and 11, the period when children usually begin to go about without immediate supervision but lack experience. The movements of pedestrians immediately before they were killed are shown in the following table :

Of the 1,849 pedestrians killed whilst crossing tho carriageway 980—more than half—were 60 years of age and over; 354. mostly children, were killed when running into the road. Where the pedestrian was walking along the road a footpath was available in 95 cases and not available in 128. DIVIDING the blame. The solo or main causes of the fatal accidents are attributed as shown below. but great caution, the report points out, is necessary in drawing conclusions, as tho evidence is often con dieting, interested, or incomplete;

Among the principal causes of accidents attributed to drivers, excluding pedal cyclists, are:— Excessive speed, failing to stop or reduce speed when necessary, and fail* ing to reduce speed when dazzled —475 accidents, 527 killed. Overtaking improperly, cutting in, pulling out to overtake, and pulling out from side of road—2lß accidents, 240 killed. Apparently inattentive —203 accidents, 216 killed. Emerging or turning from one road into another without due care—lß6 accidents, 191 killed. Failing to keep to near side of road--170 accidents, 186 killed. Skidding—l 62 accidents, 168 killed.. Inexperience—3B accidents, 41 killed. Failing to stop at pedestrian crossing place—3o accidents, 30 killed. The vehicles being driven by drivers to whom the causes of fatal accidents were attributed were: —923 motor cycles, 714 private motor vehicles, 294 motor vans, lorries, etc., 69 public conveyances, seven other mechanicallypropelled vehicles, and 22 miscellaneous, including horse-drawn vehicles. Causes of accidents attributed to pedal cyclists included: — Emerging or turning from one road into another without due care—2Bo accidents, 281 killed. Losing control—lo 9 accidents, 109 killed. _ Swerving—77 accidents, 78 killed. Inattentive—73 accidents, 73 killed. Excessive speed, etc. —72 accidents, 72 killed. , , Skidding—6B accidents, 68'killed. Failing to keep to near side—s 9 accidents, 60 killed. PEDESTRIANS’ FAULTS. Causes of accidents attributed to pedestrians included; Crossing road apparently inattentive to traffic —845 accidents, 819 killed. Walking or running out from in front of or behind vehicle which masked movement —537 accidents, 528 killed. Running into road from footpath 328 accidents, 329 killed. Stepping into road without looking 185 accidents, 186 killed. Walking in road (not crossing), apparently inattentive to traffic —146 accidents, 150 killed. Crossing road recklessly—B3 accidents, 81 killed. Boarding or alighting from a vehicle without due care —75 accidents, 75 killed. Of the pedestrians killed, 83 per cent, were considered to have been the sole or main cause of the accidents. Of accidents attributed to vehicles or equipment, 57 were due to inadequate or no front lights, inadequate or no rear lights or dazzling head or side lights; 41 to defective or .smooth t3’res; 31 to defective brakes; and 15 to failure of steering mechanism. Of the 14 accidents for which the condition or lav-out of the road was held.

responsible, 37 were attributed to blind corners or road bends. Tramways were assigned as a solo or main cause of 19 accidents. Weather was blamed for 56 accidents, and animals were stated to have been the cause of 84, of which 12 were due to dogs not under control.

1935. 1933, Pedestrians ... ... ... ... ••• ••• 3,070 3,517 Pedal cyclists 1,370 1,324 Motor cyclist* 1,052 1,308 Passengers (other than pillion) ... 434 451 Pillion passengers 179 203 Drivers, motor vehicles (other than motor cyclists) 248 219 Drivers, horse-drawn vehicles ... 54 56 Conductors and attendants ... ... 46 48 Riders of horses ... ... 9 8 Tot«l 6,477 7.134 The vehicles involved in fatal accidents were: — 1935. 1933. Private motors 2,513 2,796 Public conveyances 627 1,043 Motor vans, lorries etc ... 1,903 1,939 Other mechanically-propelled vehicles (excluding motor cycles) G7 84 Motor cycle? 1,497 1,959 Pedal cycles 1,746 1,625 Horse-drawn vehicles 143 142 Miscellaneous vehicles ... ... ... 34 24 Total 8,730 9,613

193o. 1933. Crossing road 1,849 1,804 Hoarding < or alighting from vehicles 03 103 Working in road 42 3G In road, not crossing or working 962 1,347 On footps ah or refuge 127 129 Movement? ; rot known H 8 Total 3.079 3.517

Accidents Persons killed. 2.140 Drivers ... ... 1,900 Pedal cycl sts ... 1,038 1,041 Pedestrians ... ... ... 2,502 2,575 Othoi pers< ns 89 89 Vehicles or ‘heir equipment ... 235 245 Conditions ot joadway ... ... 41 •to Othci causes . IT3 17fi Causes unti iiceahic i:»2 159 tr.-lTr