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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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