FATAL MOTOR ACCIDENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3753, 11 February 1928, Page 3

FATAL MOTOR ACCIDENTS.

We have heard it said that newspapers were exaggerating the seriousness of the position as regards the number of accidents caused by the use of motors, and that the number of accidents so caused was not abnormal, considering the number of such vehicles now in use. .From the latest issue of the New Zealand Year Book, just published, we gather, however, from hard cold facts that the position is an exceedingly serious one. Deaths from violence, apart from suicide, claim approximately six per cent, of the total deaths. Figures published show that deaths from traumatism by motor vehicles are rapidly increasing, the toll in . 1926 —the latest year for which figures are available —being 149, as compared with only 69 in 1921. Thus in five years the mortality from this cause was cossiderably more than doubled. It is interesting to note that deaths from traumatism by railway's fox' 1926 totalled 53, by tramways 17, anl by motors 149. The total number of deaths from violence in 1926 was 722/ so that motoring, with 149 deaths, contributed more than one-fifth of all deaths occurring from violence. This is a remarkable fact that should be seriously pondered over. The Australian Minister for Health estimates that motor accidents cost the Australian, State hospitals £IOO,000 per annum. No figures are available in New Zealand, but with-, out doubt accidents resulting from the use of motor vehicles are causing serious loss of life and tremendous losses in money. Therefore every means should be sought to avoid' accidents. Universal motor regulations, wisely framed, should help somewhat in this direction, but the educative work proposed by the Motor Union and the Automobile Associations is better. Regulations are useless without alertness and intelligence and conscience of the users of the "highways. The sense to use regulations for the public good must be built up. In view ol the rapid growth of motor traffic in New Zealand within the past decade, what should we expect m the next ten years? The thought is one which rouses serious prospects, and it is to be hoped that all motorists in the community will realise the position and each make “safety first” their ffiottm