THE BLACK-OUTS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 9

THE BLACK-OUTS

ACCIDENT PROBLEM MAIN CAUSES CONTROLLABLE (United Pres* Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 19 During the first ten days of the black-out 38 people were killed and 975 injured in road accidents in the metropolitan area. These figures compare with 8 killed and 316 injured during the 10 preceding days. In a special report circulated to all police stations in the metropolitan area, Sir Philip Game, the Commissioner of Police, draws attention to the blackout’s terrible toll. Expressing his grave concern at the “alarming figures,” he calls upon all ranks of the police force, including special constables and war reservists, to cooperate in every way possible to reduce them. Causes of Mishap Summarising the •chief causes for the increase of more than 300 per cent, in the total accident figures, the Commissioner comments upon persons engaged in civil defence work who take advantage of the labels on their vehicles to “turn the highway into a rodeo.” Other causes which he specifies are: Driving with the offside wheel over the white centre line of the roadway. Driving at excessive speeds of public service vehicles, trams, and buses. Failure by cyclists to comply with the new regulations compelling them to have a red rear lamp instead of a reflector. Many people have asked whether the black-out has not been carried too far. It has been asked whether London and the principal cities are still visible from the air in spite of the black-out. The answer is that the glow in the sky indicating the presence of a large town from a distance has entirely disappeared. In a London district the Boy Scouts have undertaken to guide people through the streets at night, and to carry air-raid warnings to deaf people who may not hear the sirens.