TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1941 Session I, H-40

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1941. NEW ZEALAND.

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

The Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Transport, Wellington. Transport Department, 30th June, 1941. Herewith I have the honour to submit the annual report of the Transport Department for the year ended 31st March, 1941. I have, &c., G. L. Laubenson, Commissioner of Transport.

REPORT.

INTRODUCTION. The following summary outlines the main facts recorded in this report:— (1) A heavy drop in the number of new motor-vehicles going on the road—new registrations (representing mainly new vehicles) for cars dropped from 18,107 in 1939 to 6,755 in 1940, trucks declined from 9,849 to 7,069, and motor-cycles from 1,814 to 1,727. (2) All classes of motor-vehicles licensed at 31st March, 1941, totalled 313,087, showing a decrease of 1-4 per cent, compared with 1940. (3) A substantial reduction, particularly in the private-car group, of the mileage run per vehicle. (4) A striking increase from 7,826 in 1940 to 10,011 in 1941 in the average number of trailers on the roads. (5) The volume of traffic on the roads in 1940-41 was 22 per cent, below the figure for 1939-40. (6) One hundred and ninety-nine persons were killed and 3,950 injured in road accidents during the year, showing decreases of 20 per cent, and 26 per cent, respectively compared with 1939-40. (7) A reduction in all types of fatal accidents except collisions with pedestrians. (8) The increase in 1939-40 in the proportion of fatal accidents occurring during hours of darkness was not continued in 1940-41. (9) The greatest reduction in fatal accidents occurred outside the town areas. (10) May was the worst accident month during the year. (11) New statistics show that young drivers were involved in more accidents than older drivers. (12) Some 322 " accident prone " drivers were interviewed during the year. (13) Circulation of standardized system of school road traffic patrols to Education Boards, major local authorities, and motor organizations. (14) Thirty-eight thousand motorists were warned regarding traffic offences, compared with 53,000 in the previous year. (15) A drop in the more serious traffic offences reported from 9,579 in 1939-40 to 7,491 in 1940-41. (16) Substantial expansions in business for all classes of public road transport.

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2. DEVELOPMENT OP MOTOR TRANSPORT. A. REGISTRATIONS OF MOTOR-VEHTCLES, BY TYPES OF VEHICLE. Under the Motor-vehicles Act a new vehicle is registered and simultaneously licensed for the ensuing year or part thereof. The license is renewable each year. If a license is not renewed, the registration is classed as " dormant," and after remaining " dormant " for two complete years is cancelled, the assumption being that the vehicle in question is permanently off the road. If, however, the vehicle is again brought into use after its registration has thus been cancelled, it is treated as a new registration. The registration figures set out hereunder, therefore, are not an exact record of the number of new vehicles introduced into our traffic system ; they include an unknown but probably small number of vehicles which have been out of commission for more than two years. The following table sets out the annual registrations since 1939 :—

In comparison with the year 1939-40, new motor-car registrations for 1940-41 have fallen off by 62-69 per cent., commercial vehicles by 28-22 per cent., and motor-cycles by 4-80 per cent. B. MOTOR-VEHICLES LICENSED AS AT 31st MARCH, 1941. The appended figures show the number of motor-vehicles licensed for the year 1940-41 as at 31st March, 1941 (the licensing year expires on 31st May each year) : —

The< total number of vehicles licensed at the 31st March, 1941, is only 14 per cent, lower than the total for March, 1940. The number of motor-vehicles licensed as at 31st March, 1941, classified according to postal districts, are set out in Table No. 1. Table No. 2 of the Appendix sets out the number of motor-vehicles licensed each year since 1933. The number of " dormant " registrations—i.e., vehicles which although, registered had not been licensed for the current year—as at 31st March, 1941, were as under :—

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Year ended 31st March, | Cars. Commercial Vehicles Cycles. j Total Registrations, 1939 .. .. .. 28,937 10,862 2,233 42,032 1940 .. .. .. 18,107 9,849 1,814 29,770 1941 . . .. 6,755 7,069 1,727 15,551

Type of Vehicle. North Island. South Island, j Ne^,^e^ an<^ Cars .. .. .. .. 143,610 71,906 215,516 Light trucks (2 tons and under laden) .. .. 18,276 8,921 27,197 Heavy trucks (over 2 tons laden) .. .. .. 14,679 6,601 21,280 Passenger trucks . .. .. .. .. .. 992 568 1,560 Omnibuses .. .. .. .. .. 535 212 747 Taxis .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,067 430 1,497 Service cars . . . . . . . . . . 350 229 579 Rental and private-hire cars .. .. .. 464 291 755 Dealers' cars . . . . . . 933 410 1,343 Local-authority road and " exempt" vehicles .. 3,123 3,278 6,401 Government vehicles 3,155 | 1,558 4,713 Trailers .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,984 5,136 13,120 Dealers' motor-cycles .. .. .. .. 65 38 103 Motor-cycles .. .. .. 11,478 6,798 18,276 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 206,711 106,376 313,087

Type of Vehicle. I i®®?' Total I Register. Register. ocal - Cars .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,417 10,283 17,700 Light trucks (2 tons and under laden) .. .. 3,144 3,343 6 487 Heavy trucks (over 2 tons laden) .. .. .. 1,377 1,534 2 911 Service cars .. .. .. .. .. 31 27 58 Taxis . . . . .. .. .. .. 20 16 36 Rental and private-hire cars .. .. .. 35 33 gg Passenger-trucks .. .. .. .. .. 50 54 104 Omnibuses . . .. .. .. . . 17 38 55 Local-body and exempt vehicles .. .. .. 798 1,294 2,092 Trailers .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,211 2'o77 3^288 Government vehicles .. .. .. 55 119 174 Motor-cycles .. .. .. .. .. 3,549 3,852 7,401 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 17,704 22,670 40,374

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Section 10 of the Motor-vehicles Amendment Act, 1927, provides that after a registration has remained " dormant " for two complete years it is to be cancelled.. The following sets out the 1937-38 registrations cancelled on Ist June, 1940, in accordance with this section:—

C. VEHICLES ACTUALLY ON THE ROAD. The number of vehicles licensed on the register kept in accord with the provisions of the Motorvehicles Act, 1924, may be taken as a reasonable indication of the number of vehicles actually on the road. The number of vehicles licensed have been estimated from month to month, and the averages for the years ending on the 31st March, 1939, to the 31st March, 1941, are given hereunder : —•

As is to be expected under war conditions and the necessity for conserving petrol-supplies, there has been a slight foiling off in the average number of vehicles on the road compared with 1940, but in no particular class of vehicle has there been any marked decline. A striking feature is the comparatively heavy increase in the use of trailers, over 2,000 more being used in 1940-41 than' in 1939-40. D. GENERAL. The outstanding facts of the motor-vehicle position in the Dominion are the rapid decline in the number of new vehicles coming into the country now and, due to restrictions, a marked reduction in the usage of petrol. It appears that the Dominion has no alternative but to face the fact that we may have to make do with our existing fleet of motor-vehicles for an indefinite period, and that our supplies of petrol from overseas may be considerably below our normal usage. Bearing in mind the extent to which all classes of motor transport have become woven into our national economy, and their importance for defence purposes, it is clear that if the future is to be adequately safeguarded the existing fleet of motor-vehicles must be carefully " nursed " to extend their normal useful lives. 3. ROADS. A. LIMITATION OF LOADS ON ROADS. Only minor alterations in the mileages of classified roads have taken place during the year. Most of the roads in rural areas where the surface is of a flexible type are now classified in order to

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Type of Vehicle. Number. Cars .. .. .. .. .. 5,203 Light trucks .. .. .. 2,752 Heavy trucks .. .. . . .. .. 1,326 Service cars .. .. .. .. .. 29 Taxis .. .. .. .. . . .. 17 Passenger-trucks .. .. .. .. .. 55 Rental and private-hire cars .. .. .. .. 13 Local body and exempt vehicles .. . . . . 260 Government vehicles .. .. .. .. 61 Trailers .. .. .. .. .. .. 789 Omnibuses .. .. .. .. .. 21 Motor-cycles .. .. .. .. .. 3,897 Total .. .. .. .. .. 14,423

Averages. Class of Vehicle. j 1939. 1940. 1941. Number. Number. Number. Cars .. .. .. .. 193,733 208,233 204,732 Trucks, light, up to 2 tons laden .. .. .. 25,413 26,063 25,416 Trucks, heavy, over 2 tons laden .. .. 19,883 20,750 20,597 Omnibuses .. .. •. • • • ■ 667 707 729 Taxis 1,672 1,607 1,519 Rental cars and private-hire cars .. .. .. 703 . 729 725 Service cars .. .. • • • • • • 626 616 578 Dealers'cars .. .. .. •• 1,868 1,842 1,386 Local-body road vehicles .. .. .. •• 3,439 4,922 5,472 Government vehicles .. .. .. •• 3,118 3,929 4,442 Dealers'motor-cycles .. .. .. •• 135 133 103 Motor-cycles .. .. .. •• •• 18,627 17,164 15,870 Trailers .. .. .. .. ■■ 6,758 7,826 10,011 Passenger-trucks .. .. .. ■■ •• 1,457 1,659 1,546 Totals .. .. .. •• 278,099 296,180 293,156

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protect the surface from undue damage caused by heavy loading. The present position in regard to the classification of rural roads is as follows : —

(1) Classification of all Rural Roads at 31st March, 1941.

(2) Classification of Main Highways (Rural Sections) at 31st March, 1941.

(3) Classification of State Highways (Rural Sections) at 31st March, 1941.

While it is necessary to limit the loading imposed upon the non-rigid types of surfaces for their protection, consideration of the effect of such load limitation upon road transport throughout the district is also necessary. Reduced gross loads usually result in smaller payloads, with consequent increased running of vehicles, increased petrol-consumption, and higher unit costs of transport. These factors are important during normal times, but are even more important now when costs are increasing, when the need for petrol-conservation is vital, and the replacement of vehicles is difficult. A balance must be struck between the need for maintaining road surfaces to a reasonable standard and facilitating the economic transport of goods. B. TRAFFIC CENSUS. No comprehensive census for traffic has been taken since the Main Highways Board conducted a general census over the main highway system in 1937-38. An indication of the use of motor-vehicles over the national roading system year by year is available from the records of the amount of petrol consumed each year. During the year ended 31st March, 1941, the rationing of petrol has effected a considerable decline in vehicle-mileage as shown by the following table : —

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Formed Roads. Clasa Three ' | Class Four. Class Five. clas^^tlon . Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. North Island .. . 26,618 5,511 9,672 2,157 17,340 South Island .. .. 22,096 6,562 2,472 275 9,309 Totals .. .. 48,714 12,073 12,144 2,432 26,649

(These mileages includes State Highways.) ~ Highways. J Class Three. Class Four. Class Five. cl Jj£*Won. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. North Island .. .. 6,603 3,080 3,130 151 6,361 South Island .. .. 5,428 4,565 139 42 4,746 Totals .. .. 12,031 7,645 3,269 193 11,107

Highways. Class Three. Class Four. Class Five. cl J^ ion> Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. North Island .. .. 2,166 1,230 869 .. 2,099 South Island .. .. 1,686 1,554 .. .. 1,554 Totals .. .. 3,852 2,784 869 .. 3,653

Year ended 31st March, Relative V ®^°„ 1 ! -1 ?" ea S e - ,, (Index figures (1938-39 = 100)). 1937 .. . . 81 1938 .. .. 92 1939 .. .. 100 1940 .. 99 1941 .. .. 77

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4. ROAD SAFETY. A. ROAD-ACCIDENT STATISTICS. (1) The Number of Accidents. During the period of twelve months ended 31st March, 1941, there were 180 fatal motor accidents and 2,918 other accidents involving personal injury. As a result of these accidents 199 persons were killed and 3,950 others injured. Comparing these figures with those of the preceding year this represents a reduction of 20 per cent, in the number of persons killed and 26 per cent, in the number injured. From the records of the amount of petrol consumed on the roads it is estimated that the mileage travelled by motor-vehicles during the year decreased by about 22 per cent. The average number of motor-vehicles on the road decreased by about 1 per cent, of the number using the road during the year ended 31st March, 1940. (2) Comparison of Fatal Accidents during the past Four Years. A comparison of the various aspects of the fatal accidents during the past year with those of the three preceding years is given in Table No. 3 in the Appendix. The following main features are apparent (1) There was a considerable reduction in all types of accident except collisions with pedestrians. Despite the reduced motor traffic there were slightly more of these than during any of the previous years. This increase in pedestrian fatalities was confined to the daylight hours : (2) During 1939-40 there was a considerable increase in the proportion of fatal accidents occurring during hours of darkness, but this increase has not been sustained during 1940-41 : (3) The greatest reduction in fatal accidents was in respect of those occurring outside the town areas. However, it is probable that it is on these rural roads that the greatest reduction in travel has taken place. (3) Particulars of all Accidents reported—i.e., Fatal and Non-fatal. (Table No. 4 in Appendix.) While the reduction in the number of ail types of accidents amounted to 25 per cent, of the total accidents during the preceding year, the following reductions in respect of the different main types of accidents have taken place : — Collisions between motor-vehicles (representing 27-5 per cent, of all accidents) : 39 per cent, decrease. Collisions between motor-vehicles and bicycles (27-5 per cent, of all accidents) : 9 per cent, decrease. Collisions between motor-vehicles and pedestrians (23 per cent, of all accidents) : 23 per cent, decrease. Other collisions (nearly 10 per cent, of all accidents) : 23 per cent, decrease. Non-collisions (nearly 13 per cent, of all accidents) : 28 per cent, decrease. The reduction in the number of collisions with bicyclists was very much less that the general reduction in all accidents. However, the severity of this type of accident as measured by one accident out of 35 proving fatal was not as great during the past year as during the previous year, when one accident out of 22 resulted in a fatality. Among pedestrian accidents, on the other hand, one out of every 12 accidents caused a death, compared with one out of 17 during 1939-40. About 70 per cent of all accidents occurred in the cities or smaller towns and 30 per cent, on the open road. Accidents in the towns were 22 per cent, less than during the previous year, but the number occurring on the rural highways dropped by 33 per cent. Cyclist and pedestrian accidents are confined mainly to the towns, only 12 per cent, of the cyclist and 15 per cent, of the pedestrian accidents taking place on the rural roads. (4) Particulars of Road-users injured (including killed). (Table No. 5 in Appendix.) Of 4,149 casualties on the road during the year 48 per cent, were occupants of motor-vehicles, 11$ per cent, were motor-cyclists or pillion-riders, 21 per cent, were bicyclists, and 18 per cent.' pedestrians. May was the worst accident month. During the months from April until August the pedestrian and cyclist accident rates were at their heaviest. This has been the case each year and is doubtless due largely to the poorer conditions of visibility during the evening hours in the winter. (5) The Age of Motor-vehicle Drivers involved in Accidents. (Table hereunder.) Figures are now being obtained as to the number of licensed motor-drivers classified in different age-groups. These figures are not yet complete, but the approximate proportions falling into each group have been determined and these proportions compared with the number of drivers of the corresponding ages who have been involved in accidents.

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Young drivers have the greatest tendency to involvement in accident. Those under thirty years of age represent 33-2 per cent, of all drivers but constitute 41'0 per cent, of the drivers who have been involved in road accidents, and no less than 58-2 per cent, of all those who have been involved in more than one accident during the past four years. No data is available as to the average mileages travelled each year by drivers in the different age groups.

Ages of all Licensed Drivers and of Drivers involved in Accidents.

B. DEPARTMENTAL ACTION BASED ON ACCIDENT STATISTICS. The accident statistics provide facts upon which preventive measures are based. They are used to direct public attention to various features and trends in the accident position. By means of accident maps the attention of traffic enforcement officers is directed to frequent accident locations. Local authorities are given particulars of accidents occurring in their areas in order that they may be apprised of the local accident position. Where a road hazard is indicated as contributing to an accident the attention of the road controlling authority is drawn to the hazard with a view to remedial measures being taken. A record of all drivers involved in accidents is maintained, and where any particular driver has a second accident he is interviewed either by an experienced departmental or local-body officer to endeavour to ascertain whether he may have certain driving faults which can cither be remedied or which render him unsuited to continue to hold a license. During the past year 322 such drivers have been interviewed. In several cases where a particularly bad driving record was revealed the individual was required to undergo an examination and test to determine whether his license should be revoked by the Commissioner of Transport in terms of the Motor-drivers Regulations 1940. In each case the result of the test was satisfactory and no further action was taken. C. CONDUCT AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN. Outside of the children's home influence the work of the teacher provides the most effective medium for inculcating a code of proper road behaviour. In most schools a certain amount of traffic instruction is given to the pupils, and teachers are encouraged in this work by the Education Department. The results of the increasing activity of teachers in this direction should be reflected by a. better understanding of the traffic rules and a higher standard of road conduct on the part of the coming generation of road users. To stimulate the interest of teachers and pupils in this subject and to assist them with expert traffic advice two road traffic instructors attached to the Transport Department are available to visit schools and address the pupils on traffic matters. Two films have been produced and are used by these instructors for visual teaching of correct traffic behaviour in cvery-day situations. The instructors also devote considerable time to checking irregular conduct on the part of children on the road itself. During the year proposals which had been formulated in conjunction with the Education Department for the introduction of a recognized and standardized system of school patrols were circulated to Education Boards, the major local authorities, and the various motor organizations for their consideration. The proposals met with general support, and it is now proposed to give effect to them by the introduction of regulations and the issue of a booklet containing standard rules for their operation. Due publicity will be given to the measure at the outset to assist in its successful introduction. The school patrol system is not new, as various forms of patrols have been operating for a number of years in the South Island and, more recently, in parts of the North Island. There has been 110 uniformity of operation, however, and the forthcoming proposals constitute an endeavour to embody the best features of existing systems in this and other countries.

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Percentage of all p , , ,, Percentage of all Drivers involved in Age-group. T , ercen a Drivers involved in More than One g 8 P Licensed Drivers. Aecidents . Accident during the Past Four Years. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Under 20 years .. .. .. 6-4 9-0 14-5 20-24 years .. .. .. •• 12-3 15-6 26-6 25-2!) „ .. .. .. •• 14-5 16-4 17-1 30-34 „ 14-3 13-1 11-7 35-39 „ 12-6 12-0 7-9 40-44 „ 10'7 7-8 5-5 45-49 „ 8-3 7-8 4-3 50-54 „ .. .. .. 7-9 6-7 5-7 55-59 „ 6-0 5-5 2-7 60-61 „ .. .. .. ■■ 3-9 3-9 2-6 65-69 „ .. .. .. .. 2-1 1-4 0-5 70 years and over .. .. .. l'O 0-8 0-9 Totals .. .. .. 100-0 100-0 100-0

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D. PUBLICITY AND ADULT EDUCATION. During the, period of this report publicity and adult educational activities were carried out as follows :— Films. —Very extensive use was made of road-safety films during the year. This form of propaganda involved no expenditure of overseas funds, and demonstrated very vividly the lessons of sound driving technique to many thousands of civilian and military drivers. Whenever possible the films were shown to members of the A.S.C. going overseas, and were received with considerable enthusiasm. Programmes at military camps were interspersed with special war news-reels and general entertainment films. In conjunction with automobile associations and. local bodies, programmes were shown at many agricultural and pastoral shows during the winter months, and attracted considerable interest. The films have also been shown at a number of meetings of the Home Guard and Emergency Precautions Organization, and numerous requests have been received for their display during the forthcoming year. rosters and Leaflets. —Every endeavour has been made to conserve stocks of paper by refraining from the issuing of new posters and leaflets. Existing stocks of posters and many thousands of leaflets have been distributed. Screen Slides. —Extensive use has been made of this form of publicity, which does not involve the expenditure of overseas funds. Prior to the Easter holidays, an extensive campaign was run in the theatres. Radio.—The Department is indebted to the National and Commercial Broadcasting Services for their valuable co-operation in broadcasting safety slogans, especially before periods of heavy holiday traffic. Processions. —The Department assisted in many processions organized to raise funds for patriotic purposes. Press. —Excellent co-operation was received from the press in the publication of appeals and articles. Automobile Associations. —The automobile associations gave every assistance in the distribution of safety materials, and generally in improving by education the standard of driving on the roads. Windscreen Transfers. —Many thousands of " I Drive Safely" windscreen transfers were distributed, especially in country districts. Churches. —Co-operation was given by the churches in the delivering of appeals against recklessness on the roads. Wrappers. —One hundred and sixty thousand safety wrappers were issued. Race Traffic. —A special appeal to race traffic was continued throughout the year. Pedestrian Education. —Valuable experiments were carried out by the Psychological Laboratory at the University of Otago to test the beliefs of pedestrians regarding their visibility at night. It was found that pedestrians almost invariably overestimated their visibility, and this applied even when the pedestrians had had considerable driving experience. These experiments have been of considerable local educational value, as many of those participating were tcachers. The results are also being used for general propaganda purposes. Army Department. —In addition to co-operation in the extensive showing of films at military camps, the Department has also assisted in the safety education of military drivers by making available the driver-testing machinery brought from the United States for the Centennial Exhibition. These machines are being used to test reaction time, steering ability, visual acuity, binocular co-ordination, ability to resist the adverse effects of glaring headlights, speed of recovery from these effects, fidelity of vision and peripheral vision. Motor-cyclists.—Liaison has also been maintained with road safety committees of motor-cycle clubs. E. ENFORCEMENT OP TRAFFIC LAWS BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. (1) General Enforcement Work. During the year ended 31st March, 1941, the Traffic Inspectors attached to the Department covered over 990,000 miles in the course of their patrols, issued verbal or written warnings for 38,000 offences, weighed 7,000 vehicles for suspected overloading, and tested 7,200 people for drivers' licenses. Comparative figures for the previous year were 53,000 verbal or written warnings issued, 7,000 vehicles weighed, and 6,100 people tested for drivers' licenses. During the year 7,491 of the more serious offences were reported, against 9,579 in 1939-40 and 10,435 in 1938-39. (2) Traffic Offences Bureau. Full details of the results of the year's operations under the scheme of traffic offence notices and a central bureau are set out in Table No. 6. Of the total number of offences reported to the bureau, 5,060 prosecutions were authorized, 2,172 warnings issued, and no action taken in 259 instances, For the previous year 1939-40, 7,244 prosecutions were authorized, 2,024 warnings issued, while in 311 instances no action was taken. (3) Prosecutions. Table No. 7 shows the results of the 6,032 prosecutions actually taken during the year. Convictions were obtained in 5,758 instances and fines totalling £7,688 were levied. In 165 cases the information was withdrawn before the hearing, while 108 cases were dismissed. In the previous year fines totalling £10,355 were levied in the 7,449 cases where convictions were obtained, while 122 cases were withdrawn before the hearing and 111 cases dismissed,

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F. INSPECTION OF MOTOR-VEHICLES. All motor-vehicles operated in the Dominion are required to undergo a periodical mechanical inspection, and the vehicles may be classified into three main divisions : — (1) Passenger-service vehicles licensed under the Transport Licensing Act: (2) Goods-service vehicles licensed under the Transport Licensing Act: (3) Other vehicles. (1) Passenger-service Vehicles.—These vehicles are examined by officers of the Department specially appointed for the purpose. The vehicles embraced in this class are those which carry passengers for hire or reward, and include omnibuses, service cars, passenger trucks, school vehicles, rental vehicles and taxis (excluding taxis in the four main centres, which are inspected by the Metropolitan Licensing Authorities). (2) Goods-service Vehicles. —All goods-service vehicles licensed under the Transport Licensing Act are subjected to a thorough mechanical inspection each six months, and the maximum permissible load which can be transported in safety is inscribed in the certificate of fitness. The following table gives the number of passenger and goods vehicles which operate in the four licensing districts

(3) Other Vehicles. —All motor-vehicles other than those coming within the scope of the Transport Licensing Act are required to undergo a periodical inspection each half-year. The issue of warrants of fitness to these vehicles is undertaken by 1,612 motor garages approved for the purpose, and some of the municipalities. The inspection includes a check of brakes, lights, steering-gear, wheel-alignment, windscreen-wiper, rear-vision mirror, warning-device, and door-fastenings. The following table gives the percentage of defects as revealed by these inspections for the years 1939 and 1940.

The percentage of defects as revealed by the inspection of motor-cycles is given in the following table -

5. WAR MEASURES. EMERGENCY TRAFFIC CONTROL. At the beginning of 1941 steps were taken, after consultation with the Army and Homo Guard authorities, to form an emergency traffic pfolice organization. The functions of the organization are to clear certain routes or areas of all civil traffic to facilitate military operations in event of attack and to control and direct traffic in event of civil evacuation. The organization will operate mainly in the rural areas where there is no effective emergency traffic control under the Emergency Precautions Scheme. The existing departmental Traffic Inspectors constitute the nucleus of the organization, and each Inspector is now training and organizing a unit to cover the area in which ho normally operates. The personnel is drawn mainly from men enrolled in the Home Guard, but the organization will be a separate branch of the Emergency Reserve Corps under the command of the Commissioner of Transport,

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Number. District. ~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~ Total. rassenger-service Goods-service Vehicles. Vehicles. No. 1 : Auckland .. .. .. 1,446 3,217 4,663 No. 2: Wellington .. .. .. 1,220 2,661 3,881 No. 3: Christchurch .. .. .. 888 1,309 2,197 No 4: Dunedin .. .. .. 554 1,256 1,810 Total .. .. .. 4,108 8,443 .12,551

Brakes. Lights. „ o. Wind- Rear- Warn- DoorPeriod. . e r " screen- vision ing- fastenFoot. Hand. Head. Tail. wi P er " Mirror - devico ' in S 8 " 1939 .. .. ..20 15 16-5 9 6-5 4 1-5 2-5 1-5 1940 .. .. .. 17-5 14 12 10 6 4-5 1-7 2-5 1-7

Period. Brakes. L ' ghtS ' Ste 5 in S' I Silencer. Foo t t " W , arniu & Head. Tail. &c - [ j rests ' device. 1939 .. .. .. ..5-5 10 12 2 2-5 2-25 5 1940 .. .. .. ..3-5 9 10 1-5 2 2-25 5

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6. REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL ROAD TRANSPORT. TRANSPORT LICENSING ACT, 1931. A. APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES, ETC. During the year ended 31st March, 1941, the four district transport licensing authorities dealt with 4,521 applications, for transport licenses, while the four metropolitan licensing authorities dealt with 1,503 applications. The details of the applications dealt with, which cover applications for new licenses, renewals of existing licenses, transfers of licenses, amendments of licenses, and reviews of licenses, are set out hereunder : —•

B. NUMBER OB 1 LICENSES IN FORCE. At the 31st March, 1941, there were 7,492 licenses in force, made up as follows : 1,378 passenger services, 4,713 goods services (with 9,483 vehicle authorities), 1,280 taxi services, and 121 rental-car services. C. REVIEWS OF LICENSES. Apart from the general review of operators' finances, &c., which is made each year, the Licensing Authorities had occasion to review 1,860 individual licenses. Of these, 1,749 were in respect of goodsservice licenses, while 46 related to passenger services, 33 to taxi services, and 32 to rental-car services. D. INSPECTION OF OPERATORS' ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS. During the year the Inspecting Accountants attached to the Department examined the accounts and records of 995 operators. In the course of their inspections they checked up on passenger-service fares, time-tables and charges, the effects of cartage rates and contracts on goods-service finances, and gave advice where necessary on the maintenance of adequate accounting and statistical records. In addition, they made 99 specific reviews of contract rates schedules, &c., for the information of the Licensing Authorities. E. FINANCES AND STATISTICS, 1939-40. (1) Passenger Services. (a) Growth of the Industry. Since the road passenger-transport services were brought under the Transport Licensing Act in 1932 there has been a tremendous increase in the volume of traffic handled. In the year ended 31st March, 1933, these services ran nearly 23,000,000 vehicle-miles to carry just over 16,000,000 passengers ; in the year 1939-40 they covered 26,000,000 miles to carry over 30,500,000 passengers. In other words, while the vehicle mileage run increased by 14 per cent., there was an increase of over 90 per cent, in the number of passengers carried. Over the seven years the total gross revenue from the road-passenger-transport operations has increased from £880,000 to over £1,400,000, or by 60 per cent., while net profits have risen from £5,000 to nearly £120,000. The main increase in the numbers of passengers carried has occurred over the last two years —viz., 1938-39 and 1939-40. Between 1932-33 and 1937-38 there was an increase of 6,000,000 in the number of passengers carried annually. Between 1937-38 and 1939-40 this figure was just over

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Passenger Taxi o„ rvi „„„ Rental-car G , Services Services. Laxl bervl0es - Services. Uooa8 &ervlces - New applications— Received .. .. .. 525 265 16 630 Granted .. .. . . 509 226 3 440 Refused or withdrawn .... 14 35 12 126 Adjourned ...... 2 4 1 64 Renewal applications — Received .. .. .. 38 260 1 1,090 Granted .. .. .. 38 259 1 1,021 Refused or withdrawn .. .. .. 1 .. 17 Adjourned .. .. .. . . .. • ■ 52 Amendment applications — Received .. .. .. 323 1,130 57 860 Granted .. .. .. 299 1,103 52 681 Refused or withdrawn .... 1.3 13 4 111 Adjourned ...... 11 14 1 68 Transfer applications— Received .. .. .. 52 207 7 563 Granted .. .. .. 47 .1.94 5 522 Refused or withdrawn .... 4 11 2 29 Adjourned ...... 1 2 .. 12 Licenses revoked, cancelled, or suspended 47 37 8 132

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8,000,000. The increase for 1939-40 was no doubt due in some part to the restrictions on. petrol usage from the outbreak of war. It is anticipated that for the year 1940-41 the effect of petrol restrictions in increasing the volume of passenger traffic will be still more noticeable. (b) General Review of the Statistics. (Table No. 8.) Features of the summarized figures for the year 1939-40 compared with those for 1938—39 are : — (i) An increase of 2,390,000, or 8-5 per cent., in the number of passengers carried to record a new high total of 30,590,000 passenger journeys. (ii) The average number of passengers carried per vehicle journey increased from 12-3 to 13-3. (iii) Half a million more vehicle-miles were run in 1939-40 than in 1938-39. (iv) In 1939-40 average operating-costs advanced by 0-72 d. per vehicle-mile, or 8-7 per cent., to 11-89 d. (v) The total gross revenue increased by 6-8 per cent, on 1938-39 to set a new record total of over £1,400,000. (vi) A fall of £13,280 in the total net profit. (vii) For 1939-40 the total net profit of £119,500 represented a return of 10-5 per cent, on the total capital investment in this branch of transport. For 1938-39 the proportion was 11*8 per cent. (viii) A decline in net profit per vehicle-mile from T2sd. to 1-lld. (ix) Little change in the total capital invested, cxcept that in 1939-40 the proportion of operators' capital and reserves increased to over 88 per cent, from nearly 82 per cent. (x) In 1938-39 the vehicles in use were valued at £576,000. In 1939-40 the investment in vehicles totalled £610,000. (c) Passenger Services operating entirely within the Four Metropolitan Licensing Districts. For the year ended 31st March, 1940, financial returns were collected covering passenger services operating in the four main centres and coming under the control of the Metropolitan Licensing Authorities. As there are no figures available for the previous year, the main statistics for 1939-40 are quoted hereunder : — Traffic Statistics— Number of vehicle journeys .. .. .. .. .. 369,194 Number of passengers carried .. .. .. .. 5,627,046 Average number of passengers per vehicle journey .. .. 15-2 Number of vehicle-miles . . .. .. . . 1,659,281 Costs and Revenue — Pence per ' Operating costs — £ Vehicle-mile. Running costs .. .. .. .. 34,775 5-03 Standing charges .. .. .. 60,252 8-72 Overhead .. .. .. .. 12,890 1-86 Total .. .. .. .. 107,917 15-61 Revenue .. .. .. .. 108,114 15*64 (2) Goods Services. During 1939-40 town carriers were brought under the Transport Licensing Act, and the following extimates, which are based on the returns received from area operators and some town carriers, cover the operations of all goods-vehicles plying for hire or reward. For the year ended 31st March, 1940, these vehicles are estimated to have covered 120,000,000 vehicle-miles at a total cost of just over £6,500,000. The gross revenue from these operations approximated £7,250,000, thus giving a net return to the industry of nearly £750,000. The potential carrying-capacity of the road goods transport fleet, reckoned in ton-capacity miles —viz., the average maximum payload capacity per vehicle X the total vehicle mileage —is estimated at 414,000,000 ton-capacity miles. The quantity of goods actually carried, calculated from the gross revenue received at an average charge of lOd. per ton-mile, is estimated to have totalled 170,000,000 ton-miles. The indication given by these figures is that only 41 per cent, of the potential carryingpower from the vehicle-mileage run was actually used for the transport of g00d5—244,000,000 toncapacity miles were not used. The problem of utilizing or reducing this enormous unused transport is the major problem in the road-transport industry to-day. Average operating-costs and gross revenue per vehicle-mile were Operating-costs Gross Revenue per Mile. per Mile, d. d. Running-costs .. .. .. 5• 09 General goods cartage .. .. 9-85 Standing charges .. .. . . 6-65 Cream cartage .. .. ..0-69 Overhead charges .. .. .. 1-37 Mail cartage .. .. ..0-16 Public works and local-body cartage .. 3-10 Carriage of passengers .. .. 0-10 Other revenue .. .. 0 • 68 Total .. ~ .. 13-11 Total .. .. .. 14-58

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The total capital invested in the industry was estimated at £6,250,000, of which vehicles account for over £2,250,000. The capital put into transport by the operators themselves approximated £4,500,000. . . The return to the industry by way of net profit represented a return on the total capital invested of 11-6 per cent. Each vehicle used is estimated to have averaged a mileage of 13,555 miles to earn a total gross revenue of £823 and return by way of net profit to the proprietor a sum of £83. (3) Taxi Services. As the majority of the taxi operators came under license late in 1939 the summarized figures mainly reflect the experience of the industry prior to licensing. _ ... It is estimated that the taxis employed in the industry covered 29,000,000 vehicle-miles m the year under review for a total gross revenue of £877,000 and aggregate profits of just, over £17,000. Wages paid, together with drawings in lieu of wages by working proprietors, totalled £356,000, or 41 per cent, of the total expenses incurred. In brief, the total operating costs of taxis are estimated as follows : Percentage £ of Total. Running expenses (benzine, oil,.tires, repairs) .. ■■ 291,000 34 Depreciation of vehicles .. .. • • • ■ ■ • 108,000 13 Wages and drawings in lieu of wages .. .. •• 356,000 41 License fees, insurance, garaging .. .. . • • • 44, 000 5 Levy and sundry charges .. •• •• 61,000 7 Total 860,000 100 F. APPEALS. Appeals lodged during the year totalled 174, of which 151 related to goods services, including ancillary users, and 23 to passenger services. The number of appeals shown as being under action in the last report did not include appeals by or against ancillary users but these are now taken into account. The following details are given regarding the appeals in respect of passenger and goods services, including appeals brought forward from the previous year : —

7. COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICES. The main statistics for the commercial aircraft services are given in Table No. 9. Once again there has been a falling off in the number of passengers and mail carried for 1940 as compared with 1939 The total mileage flown has fallen from 1,950,000 in 1939 to 762,000 miles in 1940. 8. CHANGES IN TRANSPORT LAW IN NEW ZEALAND. The following were the principal enactments passed during the year under consideration : — A. STATUTES. Statutes Amendment Act, 1940. —Sections 40—41 extend to the 30th June the dates of expiry of the license years for motor-vehicles and motor-drivers; the alteration effective in the 1941-42 license year.

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Carried For- Lodged Licensing ward from during Appeals Authority's Decision 'Decision Referred Under District. Previous Current withdrawn. Decision modified. | reversed. back. Action. Report. Year. upheld. Goods-services. No. 1 .. .. 11 67 6 32 5 11 5 19 No 2 .. 52 25 25 15 13 1 1 22 No. 3.. .. 9 35 3 11 2 4 11 13 No. 4 35 24 7 23 5 1 1 22 Totals .. 107 151 41 81 25 17 18 76 Passenger-services. No. 1 .. • • 5 7 .. 8 .. 1 • • 3 No. 2 .. .. 3 2 .. 4 .. .. .. 1 No. 3 7 1 •• 1 ■■ 5 " No. 4.. .. 3 4 .. 2 1 1 .. 3 Metropolitan .. 4 3 2 5 Totals 15 23 3 19 2 2 5 7

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Section 42 effects certain administrative alterations to the law relating to" mileage-tax." Scction 56 enables the Minister of Transport to refer back for rehearing by the Licensing Authority the subject of a transport licensing appeal which has been lodged with the Minister in terms of the Transport Licensing Act, 1931. B. REGULATIONS. Traffic Regulations 1936, Amendment No. 2 (1940/156). —This forbids the use of a motor warning-device between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in populous areas ; prohibits the carriage of a loaded firearm on a motor-vehicle ; provides for the marking of double lines on certain corners and prohibits overtaking at such corners ; and fixes a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour for motor-vehicles drawing trailers. Motor-vehicle (Registration-plate) Regulations 1934, Amendment No. 7 (1940/66). —These provide for the fitting of special plates to the cars of His Excellency the Governor-General and of High Commissioners to New Zealand. Motor-vehicles Insurance (Third-party Risks) Regulations 1939, Amendment No. 1 (1941/77). — The main purpose of these is to increase the premiums by one-twelfth on account of the thirteen-month license year of 1941-42 as mentioned above. Heavy Motor-vehicle Regulations 1940, Amendment No. 1 (1940/97). —This extends the heavy traffic fee concessions for farmers' trucks from the 4-ton class up to the 5-ton class. Transport (Goods) Order 1936, Amendment No. 5 (1940/236). -These regulations adapt to goods services the statutory provisions concerning the rehearing of appeals by Licensing Authorities referred to above. Taxicab Regulations 1939, Amendment No. 1 (1941/44). —These regulations relate to offences and to refunds of fees in the case of taxicab licenses. C. EMERGENCY (WAR) REGULATIONS. In addition to the Oil Fuel Regulations, referred to in the last report, there have been passed the following Emergency Regulations which concern the work of this Department:— Transport Licensing Emergency Regulations 1940 (1940/137) and Transport Licensing Emergency Regulations 1940, Amendment No. 1 (1940/173) .—These shorten the terms of notice for reviews of transport licenses and for appeals against decisions of Transport Licensing Authorities. Heavy Motor-vehicle Emergency Regulations 1941 (1941/78) .'—These regulations provide concessions, chiefly as regard refunds of heavy traffic fees, in the case of those vehicles impressed by or hired or sold to the armed forces. Transport Legislation Emergency Regulations 1940 (1940/206). —Under these regulations the Minister of Transport is enabled to suspend or amend for the purposes of the war effort any legislation or regulations relating to the use of motor-vehicles. The following Orders have been issued under the regulations:— (a) Transport Legislation Suspension Order 1940 (1940/272). —A Crown vehicle driven by a member of the armed forces is exempted from the Transport Licensing requirements. (b) His Majesty's Forces (Motor-cyclists) Suspension Order 1941 (1941/68). —This exempts from learner restrictions the riders of motor-cycles belonging to and used for the armed forces. (c) Transport Legislation Suspension Order 1940 (No. 2) (1940/319). —This enables farmers' trucks to be fitted with '' E " plates {i.e., exempted from license fees) if they are used on the roads only in going from one part of the owner's farm to another. Motor-vehicles Emergency Regulations 1940 (1940/256).—'These regulations extend the definition of farmer s truck in the Heavy Motor-vehicle Regulations 1940, and permit the Commissioner of Transport to issue drivers' licenses free of charge for the purposes of the armed forces. Substitute Fuels Emergency Regulations 1940 (1940/241).—These provide concessions as regards mileage-tax, &c., in the case of motor-vehicles driven by approved devices which do not use petrol.

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9. APPENDIX.

STATISTICAL RETURNS. TABLE No. 1—MOTOR-VEHICLES LICENSED AS AT 31st MARCH, 1941. Table showing by Postal Districts the Number of Motor-vehicles licensed under the Motor-vehicles Act, 1924, as at the 31st March, 1941.

TABLE No. 2.—MOTOR-VEHICLES ACT, 1924. Comparative Table showing Number of Motor-vehicles licensed as at 31st December, 1933 to 1940, inclusive.

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I ® i ■*>« <A I L, ■g<5 «§ gl g * S » 1 '■&£ ! ! i Jl !"§ Is f § -s ° s 0 g-g as g, Postal District. Oars. 2<J & £ g | - >. g > . „ V Total. S-gi-pgS f.« g a H £ h 75 o« S 2 -SI'S §fei 0 ® 5 S S g £ a"" |S <5 M g fl 3 jY ofih J sland Auckland .. .. 44,229 217 4,011 4,161 265 219 411 90 2,383 293 734 717 21 4,293 62,644 Thames.. .. .. 7,878 10 1,283 934 56 18 51 26 546 51 211 133 6 596 11,799 Hamilton .. . . 19,232 64 2,654 2,186 182 54 132 59 1,508 108 393 521 4 1,238 28,335 Gisborne .. .. 4,848 11 667 486 106 23 48 24 321 30 183 127 1 474 7,349 Napier .. .. .. 10,187 8 1,716 1,121 109 40 63 27 535 74 366 142 5 574 14,967 New Plymouth .. .. 11,170 34 1,624 1,478 58 14 38 26 370 88 203 115 7 859 16,084 Wanganui .. .. 8,010 31 1.144 832 53 6 30 18 375 32 206 113 5 593 11,448 Palraerston North •• 12,893 23 1,893 1,178 78 32 54 21 889 69 366 197 5 857 18,555 Wellington .. .. 25,163 66 2,684 2,303 85 129 240 59 1,057 188 461 1,090 11 1,994 35,530 Totals, North Island .. 143,610 464 18,276 14,679 992 535 1,067 350 7,984 933 3,123 3,155 65 11,478 206,711 South Island. Nelson .. .. .. 2,412 2 456 216 44 3 11 6 230 15 128 27 4 259 3,813 Blenheim .. . . 4,525 25 759 474 47 8 25 55 229 27 139 210 1 329 6,853 Westport .. . 898 .. 130 120 7 3 4 11 30 4 27 37 . . 101 1,372 Greymouth .. . 2,616 14 364 348 44 17 21 18 98 10 50 110 1 289 4,000 Christchurch .. . . 28,901 115 2,905 2,396 125 75 121 45 2,161 171 1,320 587 17 3,001 41,940 Timaru.. .. 6,466 36 949 458 35 10 23 10 594 34 467 178 2 502 9,764 Oamaru .. .. 2,532 3 386 228 10 5 11 .. 225 23 111 15 1 168 3,718 Dunedin .. 13,432 61 1,575 1,225 178 60 155 45 819 74 327 180 8 1,404 19,543 Invercargill .. . . 10,124 35 1,397 1,136 78 31 59 39 750 52 709 214 4 745 15,373 Totals, South Island .. 71,906 291 8,921 6,601 568 212 430 229 5,136 410 3,278 1,558 38 6,798 106,376 Grand totals .. 215,516 755 27,197 21,280 1,560 747 1,497 579 13,120 1,343 6,401 4,713 103 18,276 313,087

I « ! S £ 2 8 _• Jf I i $ . s i ; i J | ! 1 Year. g £ U § I ■ ? f | 2| , . § l 6 | § * * ? I I * ! 1 II ?! If I 3| § S 4 3 rtWaOHoj fllJaq EHPHUHOH 1933 .. 123,623 21,521 14,245 23,020 524 1,497 1,002 850 1,165 1,390 128 * 147 .... 189,112 1934 .. 131,176 20,804 14,943 22,913 522 1,573 710 1,084 1,233 1,485 126 2,911 261 656 .. 197,486 1935 .. 143,488 22,681 16,138 22,935 559 1,672 692 1,293 1,546 1,595 137 3,500 372 840 .. 213,948 1936 .. 161,836 25,058 18,096 22,347 604 1,661 673 1,543 1,865 1,931 139 4,580 554 1,028 .. 237,335 1937 .. 183,054 25,343 19,587 21,175 642 1,746 678 1,756 2,369 2,538 139 6,286 680 1,264 .. 260,971 1938 .. 203,498 26,566 20,730 19,733 690 1,678 635 1,908 3,724 3,301 145 8,265 772 1,526 .. 284 906 1939 .. 215,210 26,626 21,183 17,749 742 1,590 619 1,804 5,329 4,235 133 10,228 758 1,708 .. 297^686 1940 .. 212,199 26,090 20,995 16,916 740 1,519 581 1,334 5,774 4,582 98 11,963 746 1,497 .. 293,071 * Not available.

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TABLE No. 3.—COMPARISON OF DETAILS OF FATAL MOTOR ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938 TO 1941.

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Year. Item. — *— 1937-38. 1938-39. 1939-40. 1940-41. Number of fatal accidents — (ia) Total number .. .. . . .. 229 225 227 180 Number in daylight .. .. .. .. 121 118 108 97 Number in dark .. .. .. .. 108 107 119 83 (b) Number occurring in built-up areas — Total 86 102 94 87 In daylight .. .. .. .. 33 51 41-48 In dark .. .. .. .. .. 53 51 53 39 (c) Number occurring on rural roads — Total .. .. .. .. .. 143 123 133 93 In daylight . . 88 67 67 49 In dark .. .. .. .. .. 55 56 66 44 (d) Number of collisions between motor-vehicles — Total 36 40 51 30 In daylight .. .. .. .. 24 27 29 17 In dark .. .. .. .. .. 12 13 22 13 (e) Number of collisions with railway trains — Total 11 11 14 9 In daylight . . . . . • • • 8 7 14 8 In dark .. .. .. .. .. 3 4 .. 1 (/) Number of collisions with trams . . . . 3 1 1 2 ((/) Number of collisions with bicyclists— Total 33 34 42 25 In daylight .. .. .. •• 20 18 19 12 In dark .. . . .. . . . . 13 16 23 13 (h) Number of collisions with pedestrians— Total .. .. 58 57 54 59 In daylight ' .. .. .. .. 17 17 18 25 In dark .. .. .. .. .. 41 40 36 34 (i) Number of collisions with ridden horse .. . . .. .. 1 (j) Number of collisions with horse vehicles or animals 2 1 (k) Number of other collisions — Total 33 18 17 16 In daylight .. .. .. ■ • 13 11 6 7 In dark .. .. .. .. .. 20 7 11 9 (I) Number of non-collisions — Total 53 63 47 39 In daylight .. .. .. • • 38 38 21 27 In dark .. .. .. .. .. 15 25 26 12 Number of persons killed— (a) Total number .. .. 243 246 248 199 Ib) Number of occupants of motor-vehicles (not motor- 116 115 116 83 cycles) (c) Number of riders of motor-cycles or pillion-riders .. 35 37 34 29 (d) Number of bicyclists .. .. .. .. 32 33 42 23 (e) Number of pedestrians .. .. .. 59 56 54 61 (/) Number of other road-users .. .. .. 1 5 2 3

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TABLE No. 4.-TYPES OF MOTOR ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1941.

TABLE No. 5.—TYPE OF ROAD-USERS KILLED OR INJURED EACH MONTH DURING THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1941.

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Number of Accidents. Type of Accident. In Built-up Areas. In Areas not Built up. In all Areas. Fatal. ?" n ; Total. Fatal. I ?on- Tota ], Fatal. n ,- Total, fatal. j fatal. fatal. Collisions— With another motor-vehicle 10 520 530 20 304 324 30 824 854 With a railway-train .. 4 6 10 5 13 18 9 19 28 With an electric tram .. 2 18 20 1 1 2 19 21 With a bicyclist .. .. 19 727 746 6 99 105 25 826 851 With a pedestrian.. .. 38 556 594 21 86 107 59 642 701 With a horse-vehicle .... 8 8.. 1 1 9 9 With a ridden horse .... 1 1 10 JO 11 11 With an animal .. .... 2 2 9 9 11 11 With a telegraph or power pole 5 63 68 2 47 49 7 110 117 With a fixed object .. 1 •• 1.. .. .. 1 .. 1 Other collisions .. .. 1 49 50 7 44 51 8 93 101 Total .. .. 80 1,950 2,030 61 614 675 141 2,564 2,705 Non-collisions — Drove off roadway .... 16 16 5 65 70 5 81 86 Over bank .. .. 3 12 15 16 79 95 19 91 110 Overturned on road .. 3 29 32 8 77 85 11 106 117 Person fell from vehicle .. 1 36 37 1 19 20 2 55 57 Other .. .. .... 13 13 2 8 10 2 21 23 Total .. .. 7 106 113 32 248 280 39 354 393 Total accidents .. 87 2,056 2,143 93 862 955 180 2,918 3,098

Number of Persons killed or injured. Month. r\ i MotorOccupants Qr Pedes of Motor- jlUon . Bicyclists. trians Other. Total. vchlcles ' riders. 1940. April .. .. .. •• 146 46 93 97 3 385 May .. .. . • • • 212 52 101 99 4 468 June .. .. ■■ 150 39 80 76 3 348 July .. .. . . . • 152 30 72 63 7 324 August .. .. • • 125 35 61 72 4 297 September .. .. .. 131 28 69 55 5 288 October .. .. .. 161 33 68 44 4 310 November .. .. .. 155 42 67 44 13 321 December 223 48 61 48 2 382 1941. January .. .. ■ ■ 238 43 53 46 8 388 February .. . • .. 150 38 55 43 2 288 March .. .. .. 142 48 87 68 5 350 Totals .. .. 1,985 482 867 755 60 4,149 j

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TABLE No. 6.—TRAFFIC OFFENCES BUREAU. Table showing for the Year ended 31st March, 1941, a Classification of the Offences reported by Traffic Inspectors on the Staff of the Transport Department, together with a Tabulation of the Action taken in connection with these Reports.

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Nature of Offence. ! Reported. Prosecuted. Warned. [ . Action. Motor-vehicles Act and Regulations. 1. Intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicle .. .. 115 114 1 2. Negligent driving .. .. .. .. 14 13 .. 1 3. Driving in a dangerous manner .. .. .. 130 114 16 4. Driving at a dangerous speed .. .. . . 58 53 5 5. Careless or inconsiderate driving . . .. .. 87 74 12 1 6. Exceeding 30 miles per hour in restricted area .. 768 598 166 4 7. Overtaking offences .. .. .. .. 49 35 14 8. Failing to keep to left of roadway .. .. .. 96 80 15 1 9. Breach of offside rule . . . . . . . . 38 33 5 10. Drivers' license offences .. . . . . . . 714 574 123 17 11. Licensing and registration offences .. .. .. 341 233 92 16 12. Lighting offences.. .. .. .. .. 215 138 70 7 13. Defective brakes .. .. .. .. .. 92 82 9 1 14. No warrant of fitness .. .. .. .. 1,388 1,001 343 44 15. Loading offences .. .. .. .. .. 115 64 47 4 16. Parking offences .. .. . . .. .. 54 46 7 1 17. Equipment offences .. .. .. .. 158 98 53 7 18. Motor-cyclists exceeding 40 miles per hour with pillion 49 41 5 3 passengers 19. Motor-cyclists not observing " L "-plate restrictions .. 24 20 4 20. Miscellaneous offences .. .. .. .. 135 100 30 5 Total, Motor-vehicles Act .. .. .. 4,640 3,511 1,017 112 Heavy-traffic Regulations. 1. Exceeding heavy-traffic license .. .. .. 260 184 74 2 2. Exceeding road classification .. .. .. 34 23 10 1 3. Exceeding axle load .. .. .. .. 78 44 26 8 4. No heavy-traffic license .. .. .. .. 390 244 136 10 5. Exceeding regulation speed-limit .. .. .. 348 299 45 4 6. No heavy-traffic disk or classification plate .. .. 70 30 31 9 7. Miscellaneous . . . . .. . . . . 44 25 18 1 Total, Heavy Motor-vehicle Regulations .. 1,224 849 340 35 Transport Licensing Act and Regulations. 1. Unlicensed goods service .. .. .. .. 262 129 98 35 2. Breach of goods-service license .. .. .. 246 142 76 28 3. Unlicensed passenger service . . ... . . 29 16 9 4 4. Breach of passenger-service license . . .. .. 26 16 9 1 5. Failing to carry inspection certificate or certificate 96 54 32 10 of fitness 6. Failing to carry vehicle authority or temporary license 169 87 65 17 7. Breaches of drivers' hours regulations .. .. 567 100 467 8. Overloading goods or passenger vehicles .. ,. 42 25 14 3 9. Rental-car offences .. .. .. .. 19 13 5 1 10. Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. 89 56 23 10 Total, Transport Act.. .. .. .. 1,545 638 798 109 Miscellaneous Acts and Regulations .. .. 82 62 17 3 SUMMARY. Motor-vehicle Act and regulations .. .. .. [ 4,640 3,511 1,017 112 Heavy Traffic Regulations .. .. . . .. ! 1,224 849 340 35 Transport Licensing Act and regulations .. . . 1,545 638 798 109 Miscellaneous Acts and regulations .. .. .. 82 62 17 3 Total, aTToffences, 1940-41 .. .. .. 7,491 5,060 2,172 259 Total, all offences, 1939-40 .. .. .. 9,579 7,244 2,024 311

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TABLE No. 7.—PROSECUTIONS BY TRAFFIC INSPECTORS OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. Table showing for the Year ended 31st March, 1941, a Classification according to the nature of the Offence of Prosecutions taken by Traffic Inspectors of the Transport Department.

3—H. 40.

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p InformProsecu- Con- 6 ation Amount Offence. tions. vietions. j with- of Fines. mlased - drawn. Motor-vehicles Act and Regulations. Number. Number. Number. Number. £ s. d. 1. Intoxicated in charge .. 120 108 11 1 1,423 10 0 2. Negligent driving .. •• 16 15 1 .. . 35 10 0 3. Manner dangerous .. .. • • 157 152 1 4 389 11 0 4 . Speed dangerous .. • • • • 4:0 39 1 .. 118 15 0 5. Careless or inconsiderate driving .. .. 69 59 9 1 87 10 0 6. Exceeding 30 miles per hour in restricted areas 685 672 1 12 1,125 14 0 7. Overtaking on bend or hill-crest .. .. 53 48 3 2 73 15 0 8. Failing to keep to left .. .. • • 70 66 3 1 102 18 0 9. Breach of off-side rule .. .. . • 36 32 3 1 42 10 0 10. Drivers'license offences .. .. •• 568 553 4 11 360 6 0 11. Unlicensed or unregistered motor-vehicles .. 226 219 3 4 211 5 0 12. Defective lights .. .. .. •• 174 171 .. 3 140 2 0 13. Defective brakes .. • .. • • 85 81 1 3 135 0 0 14. No Warrant of Fitness .. .. 1,088 1,054 < 4 30 553 6 0 15. Loading offences .. .. • ■ 80 74 3 3 67 18 0 16. Parking offences .. . . • • 72 71 . . 1 39 0 0 17. Cycling offences .. ... .. ■ ■ 347 342 1 4 141 14 0 18. Pedestrian offences .. . • • • 1 1 • • • • ,19. Equipment offences .. • • ■ ■ 138 138 .. .. 82 12 6 20. Exceeding 40 miles per hour with pillion 63 59 .. 4 78 15 0 passenger on motor-cycle 21. " L "-plate offences .. .. .. 21 20 1 .. 11 15 0 22. Miscellaneous offences .. .. . . 122 108 5 9 100 3 0 Totals 4,231 4,082 55 94 5,321 9 6 Heavy Motor-vehicle Regulations. 1. Exceeding heavy-traffic license .. .. 193 187 2 4 362 18 6 2. Exceeding road classification . . . . 37 37 . . .. 78 10 0 3. Exceeding axle load .. .. .. 31 31 .. .. 38 0 0 4. No heavy-traffic license .. .. .. 290 265 .17 8 381 5 2 5. Excessive speed .. .. .. ■ • 344 338 2 4 551 0 0 6. No heavy-traffic disk or class plates .. 33 29 2 2 22 5 0 7. Miscellaneous offcnces .. .. •• 20 19 1 .. 33 15 0 Totals .. .. .. .. 948 906 24 18 1,467 13 8 Transport Licensing Act and Regulations. 1. Unlicensed goods service .. .. .. 137 125 6 6 202 13 0 2. Breach of goods-service license . . .. 149 118 8 23 208 15 0 3. Unlicensed passenger service .. .. 27 21 1 5 28 15 0 4. Breacli of passenger-service license .. 8 6 2 .. 8 10 0 5. Failing to carry Certificate of Fitness .. 50 46 .. 4 36 5 0 6. Failing to carry vehicle authority . . .. 82 75 .. 7 55 8 0 7. Driving-hours breaches .. .. .. 104 98 5 1 101 0 0 8. Overloading .. .. .. •• 19 19 .. .. 19 10 0 9. Rental Service offences .. .. .. 25 20 1 4 23 0 0 10. Miscellaneous .. .. .. •. 24 23 1 .. 23 15 0 Totals 625 551 24 50 707 11 0 Miscellaneous Acts and Regulations — Totals . . 227 219 5 3 191 10 0 Grand total, 1940-41 6,031 5,758 108 165 7,688 4 2 1939-40 .. .. 7,682 7,449 111 122 10,354 12 3

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TABLE No. 8.—TRANSPORT LICENSING ACT, 1931: PASSENGER SERVICES. Traffic Data, Operating-expenses, Revenue and Profits of Licensed Passenger Services (excluding Metropolitan Services) for the Years ended 31st March, 1938 to 1940.

TABLE No. 9.—COMMERCIAL AIR TRANSPORT. Table showing the Principal Operating Data relating to Commercial Air Transport Services in the Dominion during the Calendar Years 1934 to 1940.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (715 copies), £32.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94l.

Price 9d.]

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Year ended Slat March, 1940. New Zealand Totals, Years ended 31st March, North Island. South Island. 1938. 1939. 1940. Traffic statistics Vehicle journeys .. .. 1,832,774 462,003 1,901,031 2,289,575 2,294,777 Passengers carried .. 24,306,793 6,282,880 23,276,761 28,198,331 30,589,673 Vehicle-miles .. .. 18,491,972 7,489,224 23,509,361 25,455,248 25,981,196 Operating expenses — £ £ £ £ £ Running-costs .. .. 368,947 163,177 415,976 457,186 532,124 Standing charges .. .. 435,609 172,313 500,020 594,374 607,922 Overhead charges .. .. 104,409 43,115 113,870 133,033 147,524 Total .. .. 908,965 378,605 1,029,866 1,184,593 1,287,570 Total, gross revenue 991,475 415,603 1,147,212 1,317,383 1,407,078 Net surplus .. 82,510 36,998 117,346 132,790 119,508

Y Licensed Passengers Mails Goods Mileage Services. carried. carried. carried. flown. ■ Number. Number. lb. lb. 1934 .. .. .. .. 1 50 2,000 500 4,200 1935 .. .. .. .. 2 4,203 14,789 11,680 186,391 1936 .. .. .. .. 5 20,718 84,924 38,339 706,233 1937 .. .. .. .. 7 37,178 166,344 67,927: 1,205,965 1938 .. .. .. .. 8 60,967 299,570 172,530 1,759,984 1939 .. .. .. .. 9 57,337 285,038 213,481 1,950,546 1940 .. .. .. .. 8 41,320 122,791 203,155 762,151