DEATH ON THE ROADS

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 112, 19 March 1954, Page 4

DEATH ON THE ROADS

SIXTY-SIX people were killed on New Zealand roads in December and January last, compared with 47 in the same months of the previous year. During 1953 there were over 5,500 road accidents involving either death or injury. More than 7600 people were injured, and deaths totalled 312. A recent study of the figures and circumstance'S of road accideints, made by Mr George Laurenson, reeently retired Commissioner of Transport, and published in the Auckland Star, states that the majhrity of the deaths occur on the open road, where the motorist probably feels that he can "step on it" and generally relax. Of the 291 fatal road accidents in 1953, which caused 312 deaths, less than ten per cent were due to causes other than human faiiure. In other words, ninety per cent of these fatal accidents were caused by the errors, faults or negligence of the road user. Thirty fatal accidents occurred because drivers did not keep to the left of the road. It is perhaps worthy of comment that this failing is not uncommon in the Taupo district. Several cases of cars driving over the white line 011 the winding road between Four Mile Bay and Taupo have been mentioned in the Taupo "Times," as have instances of the same thing on the bend between Tongariro Street and the Dam. Thirty-six fatal accidents resulting from inattentive driving or lack of alertness prove grimly that driving a motor-vehicle is a fulltime job and that a moment's inattention may cause a tragedy. The examination of the traffic accident problem made by Mr Laurenson must command respect, for there can be no other person in the country with more information in his possession concerning it. Mr Laurenson believes that the death toll on our roads could be reduced at least fifty per cent if road users

cared enough about the problem to adopt a few simple rules. Motorists are advised to keep their speed five miles an hour lower than has been their custom in the past, to devote their whole attention to the job of driving, and to keep to the left of the road. Cyclists are urged to adhere strictly to the right-hand rule at intersections. Pedestrians should always use pedestrian crossings when they are available. They should always look both ways before ste'pping into the roadway, walk preferably on the right hand side of the road where there is no footpath, and carry something white at night. However obvious these suggestions may be thought to be, there is no doubt that they are sound. They are based on the known causes of traffic fatalities. Mr Laurenson 's final note deals with the question of drink in relation to road accidents, a question that hangs like a black cloud over the whole scene. Mr Laurenson polnts out that while intoxication was listed as the main cause of only 20 of the 291 fatal accidents in 1953 these figures do not give the true picture. Evidence at inquests shows that in one out of every three fatal road accidents drink has been taken by one or more of the persons involved. The road user, says Mr Laurenson, who is most likely to break the rules listed above is the man who has sufficient drink to affect his judgment and sense of responsibility- He is a far greater menace on the road than one who is completely intoxicated. The Tangiwai rail disaster shocked New Zealand. But if the road toll is not reduced 1954 will see something like double the number of lives lost on our roads as were lost at Tangiwai. Adoption of a few simple rules would go a long way to alter this ghastly probability. Do we care enough to bother?