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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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