TOLL OF THE MOTOR
DEATHS ON THE ROAD WORST OCTOBER ON RECORD. COMMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “Twenty-one lives were lost on the road between October 1 and October 31, which is nearly twice as many as during October last year, and eight more than October, 1939,” said the Minister of Transport, Mr Semple, yesterday. He added that the department’s records did not go back beyond 1937, but even the two pre-war years could not equal this' total, and it was possible that last month was the worst October for traffic accidents ever experienced in .New Zealand. At any rate, the total of traffic deaths for the month was the highest for any October on record.
The Minister said that Wellington had continued its record as the most dangerous city in New Zealand for pedestrians, four of whom were killed during October there. Auckland had two fatal accidents,. Christchurch two and Nelson one.- Pedestrians headed the traffic fatality list of the month with seven killed, closely followed by car passengers six, car drivers three, motor-cyclists three, and bicyclists two. In one accident alone, five persons had been killed. “Two main trends are evidenced in the figures,” said the Minister. “The first is the increase in fatalities of all types, and the second is the growing number of pedestrians killed, specially in blackout areas during blackout hours. No fewer than four pedestrians were killed during blackout hours in towns with restricted lighting. “The proclamation of three new headlight restriction areas and several new parking-light areas makes it more than ever important that pedestrians and cyclists should take greater precautions. Pedestrians should wear something white or carry a torch on any road at all, at night. It is compulsory for cyclists to have a red taillight in parking-light areas, and it would be a wise safety precaution for cyclists to carry such a light in all areas where restricted vehicle lighting applies.”
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1941, Page 7
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324TOLL OF THE MOTOR Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1941, Page 7
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