NIGHT HAZARDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20002, 29 July 1939, Page 14

NIGHT HAZARDS

ROAD ACCIDENT RISK INCREASE AFTER DARK THREE HOURS FROM FIVE WALKERS ON THE ROADS (Special to t)ie Timid.) WELLINGTON, this day. “The latest figures indicate ih-T Decider. 1 hazards increase very sue simPHly rrer dark," said the Miniate; of Tnwywrl he Hon. E: Semple to-day “.•Vo v,; :"i ra.■ on has been made c more bran 4000 Immc accidents the happened BA year” said Mr. Semple. “The mimbca of accidents has been found to vary Lire at in direct pr: portion to I’m im-bv of traffic during the hour- f n.vbah:. Immediately aftor sun.-'e 1 .. a vevo . the nuncoei of accidents in pee "■ -n to traffic increases con rider iv “Taken over Urn -whole year, the hour between. 5 ip.m. and 0 p.ni. was easily the worst of the day. In urban areas the next worst period was between 7 p.m. and 8 ,p.m. One-third of all accidents occurred between 5 and 8 o’clock at night.

“From the figures, neither drivers, cyclists nor pedestrians appreciate the effect that darkness has upen road habits. With the oncoming cf darkness the accident rate soared during April and May, which were easily the worst months of the year, and had a much higher 'accident total than the holiday months cf December and Januaiy. “In addition, to tack of visibility at night, which is undoubtedly the main reason for the increase at- night accidents. other factors also contribute to some degree." said the Minister. "These include fatigue, liquor, and the greater frequence of ‘joy-riding at night. Pedestrian and Cycle Accidents

'Mr. Semple said that pedestrian and cycle accidents at night were much more common dur.r.g the winter months 'than in the summer. In the months from April to Octoocr them were 344 pedestrian casualties at night. In June and July. 124 pedestrians were killed or injured at night. An analysis of the 113 pedestrian night accidents during these -two months reveals the following facts: 1. One accident in every eight ended fatally. 2. In 91 eases out of 113, the pedestrian was cmssATg' the roadway- in most cases without exercising due care. 3. In 10 instances the pedestrian was intoxicated.

4. Inattentive driving by -the motorist was his most frequent contributory fault.

5. The weather was wet, in mere than one- third -of these cases. "The -cyclist does not use the road after dark to as great an extent as the pedestrian,’’ the Minister said, "but nevertheless throughout the year nearly 30 per cent of the cyclists involved in -accidents were injured during the hours of darkness. From April to July, 163 cycle casualties occurred at night and 232 in the daytime.

“Generally, 'the severity of accidents is greater at night than 'during daylight/’ said Mr. Semple. “In the daytime, there was ions fatal accident for every 23 non-fatal. but at night every fifteenth accident -proved fatal. Although only 3-3 per cent of all accidents happened at night, over 47 per cent of all fatalities occurred between sunset and sunrise.” Suggested Improvements The following measures have been suggested 'as being vital for improving conditions of safety at night, said Mr. Semple. 1. Provision, cf a modern highway lighting system on rural highways carrying a considerable volume of night traffic. 2. Improvement of the standard of street lighting -in the cities'and other towns. 3. Proper adjustment, maintenance and control of 'headlights on motor vehicles. 4. Exercise of greater care on the part of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.