ACCIDENT CAUSES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 174, 10 August 1937, Page 6

ACCIDENT CAUSES

Transport Department's Analysis PEDESTRIANS & CAR-DRIVERS Motor-accident statistics for the No; 2 enforcement district of tfie Transport Department, compiled for the period from March 15 to June 30, show that 17 persons were killed during the period in rural districts and in boroughs of up to 6°00 in population, and that 195 were injured in~ 142 accidents reported The area is that portion of the North Island south of a line between Napier and New Plymouth. Of the total number of accidents reported, 42 were in town areas and 100 on rural roads. They were: Collisions between two motor vehicles, 47; collisions between motor vehicles and pedestrians, 28; collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles, 16; collisions between motor vehicles and fixed objects, seven; collisions between motor vehicles and railway trains, three; collisions between motor vehicles and horse-drawi^ vehicles, two; collisions between motor and other vehicles, one. In the accidents affecting motor vehicles, 18 were caused by driving off the road; five by driving into a xiver, sea, or other water; eight by overturn ing on a road; four by driving 'over a declivity; and three by people falling from vehicles. Driving on the wrong side of the road caused 27 accidents; excessive speed caused 13, and failure to yield right-of-way 10. In 14 accidents unlicensed drivers were involved, and, of 20 accidents caused" by various defects of the motor vehicles concerned, 10 were due to dazzling headlights. Failure to cross the road at right angles caused six accidents to pedestrxans. Fourteen pedestrians were injured while walking in the same direction as a motor vehicle, seven while crossing a road other than by a pedestrian crossing, and three through intoxieation.