H.—40,

In the ease of 992 aeeidents involving bicyclists it will be noted that the motorist is judged to be mainly responsible in 46 per cent, of the cases, the cyclist in 53 per cent. ; the road in 1 per cent., and weather in three instances only. The most frequent faults of the motorist were : Failure to yield right of way .. .. ■ • • • • • 10? cases. Driver inattentive or attention diverted .. .. .. .. 93 cases. Failure to keep to correct side of road .. .. • • 52 cases. Passing other vehicle negligently .. .. • • .. 34 cases. The main faults on the part of the bicyclist were :— Failure to yield right of way .. .. .. • .. 92 cases. Rider inattentive or attention diverted .. .. ■ ■ 81 cases. Failure to keep to correct side of road .. .. • ■ .. 72 cases. Failure to give clear signal .. .. • • • • .. 55 cases. Swerving .. .. ■ • • • • • ■ ■ .. 48 cases. Reckless emergence from another road . . .. • • 32 cases. Tn 879 accidents involving a pedestrian the motorist was found to have committed the main fault in 29 per cent, of the accidents and the pedestrian in 71 per cent. The main motorist faults committed were : — Driver inattentive or attention diverted .. .. • • 64 cases. Failure to give way at an authorized crossing .. .. 39 cases. Failure to keep to correct side .. .. .. • • .. 18 cases. Excessive speed having regard to the conditions .. .. • • 17 cases. The most frequent pedestrian faults causing accidents were as follows: Crossing roadway heedless of traffic .. ■ • ■ • • • 329 cases. Stepping into roadway without due care .. .. • • ■ • 125 cases. Emerging from behind a vehicle or object .. • • 51 cases. Pedestrian intoxicated .. .. • • • • • • 31 cases. Failure to keep to side of road .. .. • • ■ ■ .. 24 cases. The actions of the pedestrians involved in the 879 accidents were as follows : — Walking along the road— (a) In the same direction as vehicle .. • ■ 83 accidents (15 tatal). (b) In the opposite direction to the vehicle .. 13 accidents (none fatal). (c) Direction unknown .. .. •. ■ ■ .. 8 accidents (none fatal). Crossing the road —• (a) At an authorized pedestrian crossing.. . ■ 41 accidents (2 fatal). (&) Elsewhere . .. ■ • • • * • * ■ 635 accidents (34 fatal). Child playing on the road .. .. ■ ■ ■ • • • 13 accidents (1 fatal). Standing on the road .. .. • • • • .. 15 accidents (3 fatal). Action not reported .. . • • • • • .. 71 accidents (3 fatal). Of all types of accidents the main causes on the part of the motorist were as follows : Failure to give way to another vehicle .. .. • • • • 623 cases. Failure to keep to the left — (а) Cutting corner .. . • ■ • • • ■ ■ • • 197 cases. (б) Swinging out on a bend .. • • • • • • 104 cases, (c) Elsewhere than, on a bend . . . • • • ■ • 150 cases. Driver inattentive or attention diverted .. . . • • • • 365 cases. Excessive speed under the conditions .. . • • • • • 300 cases. Skidding .. .. • ■ • • • ■ ■ • • • cases. Motor-vehicle faults were — Failure of steering gear .. ■ • • • • • • • 34 cases. Tire burst . . .. . • • • •• • • . 30 cases. Inadequate or no headlights .. . • • • .. 27 cases. Dazzling headlights .. . • ■ • • • .. 27 cases. Defective brakes .. .. • • • • • • .. 27 cases. Faults attributed to the road were as follows : — Road surface slippery from rain, frost, or other weather conditions .. 20 cases. Inadequate view .. • • • • ■ • • • .. 15 cases. Excessive loose metal .. .. • • • • • • .. 13 cases Narrow road .. .. • • • • • ■ • • .. 13 cases. (h) The Liquor Factor. Previously the only statistics obtained in regard to the influence of liquor as a factor in accidents was in cases where intoxication of the driver was judged to be a cause of accident. Last year, however, if the driver of a motor-vehicle involved in an accident was to any extent under the influence of liquor the police were asked to enter that fact on the report, even though it could not be stated to be a cause of the accident. The following tables have been compiled from the reports received.

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