MOTOR’S HEAVY TOLL

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1930, Page 2

MOTOR’S HEAVY TOLL

NEW YORK’S RECORD

CASUALTIES FOR YEAR

Motor vehicle accidents in the State of New York alone last year were responsible for the death of 2960 persons an increase of 27S over 1928, and injuries to 114,807 other persons, Air C. A. Harnett, State Commissioner of Mo“ tor Vehicles, announced on March 29, The total casualties, lium' ering 117,767 were thus greater than the entire pop lation of Wellington City and Petone, which was estimated as at April 1 as 115,920. After pointing out that 2,313,825 automobiles were registered in New York State last year, Commissioner Harnett added:

“This has pushed traffic congestion to the saturation point in some business districts, and the consequent loss of life and property demands serious consideration.

“Speed or'carelessness causes nearly all automobile accidents,” Commissioner Harnett declared.

“Pedestrians and motorists alike are responsible,” he continued. “The education of all those who use public highways is essential to ensure greater care in driving and walking. Afnny persons are inclined to take a chance and in many instances the chance is fraught with danger. If those chances wore not taken there would he a marked reduction in the number of accidents It is possible to drive safely under the most adverse conditions, yet many d" not drive safely when conditions are most .favourable.

302 CHILDREN KILLED IN

STREETS,

“The records of the .Motor A chicle Rureau show that 302 children under 14 years of age were killed and 10,971 were injured by automobiles last year while playing in the streets. "P„i lie streets are no longer a safe place for children to play,” Commissioner Darnel t said in pointing out that of th(> total number of persons who lost their lives in 1929 in motor accidents. 19 per cent, were children.

Commission Harnett said that 52 per cent, of tin 1 accident's were due to mol or vehicles striking pedestrians,

and that 51 per. cent, occurred at strec l intersections. ,

“These facts,”, he “emphasise an important- phase of .the traffic problem—the lack of care on the part of the drivers In congested districts and heedlessness of some pedestrians intent upon crossing the street at places where there is no protection.”

JAY-WALKING CAUSED 449

DEATHS

Jay-walking was responsible for 449 deaths and injuries to 11,273 persons. Crossing streets at intersections where' there were no traffic signals or officers to direct traffic, cost- the lives of 239 persons and injuries to 9580. “The parked car on busy streets is also a : source of danger,” Commissioner Harnett continued.' “Last year 148 pedestrians were killed and 3929 others injured as a result of attempting to cross streets from behind parked vehicles or other obstructions. Three hundred and six fatal aceklonts were due to motorists failing to observe the “right of way” rule, and 468 were caused by motorist operating at a rate of speed, that prevented a turn in the highway, forcing the : car off the road into a ditch.

Speed was reported responsible for 249 fatal accidents, while 213 others were due to motorist driving on the wrong side of the road.