ROAD FATALITIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 16 September 1940, Page 6

ROAD FATALITIES.

A favourable drop in the number of persons killed in road accidents in the Dominion during August as compared with the corresponding month a year ago and in 1938 is commented upon by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple), who continues to keep a zealous watch on the statistics, and while remarking that the reduction from seventeen to twelve is encouraging, adds that the unnecessary loss of such lives is still tragic. All should agree with him. The traffic conditions brought about by the restrictions on the use of petrol o-ive rise to the belief that these accidents should have been even fewer, and it is evident that the greatest care is still required in order to get the rate of deaths down. Unfortunately, there are not available figures showing a comparison of ' mileages traversed bv vehicles before and since the war began, but viewing the matter broadly on petrol consumption it may be accepted that the fall in the number of road deaths is not in keeping with the reduction in the amount of travelling and the continuance of the road safety campaign. Time and again it has been stressed that no motorist sets out to maim or kill other users of the rqad—all accidents are the result of neglect, carelessness, or incapability, and the statistics show that in by far the majority of cases the overlooking of simple precautions is the chief cause. A substantial _ improvement in the traffic accident and death rate has been attained in recent years, but the figures can still be bettered. With the lengthening of the days and good weather tempting the car owner to travel for pleasure as far as petrol restrictions will permit:, there will be some increase m the number of vehicles on the roads. This will call for more prudence on the part of drivers who have become accustomed to reduced traffic.