Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Wednesday 5 July 1939, page 6


CAR 'ACCIDENTS A.CARTOON by Mr. Alex Gurney who, by the way, is a Tasmanian -published during the recent motor show in Melbourne depicted two stands, on one of which was a mag-nificent car of ultra-modern design, and on the other an empty chair. Attached to the motor-car was a card bearing the words: "The Perfect Car." Attached to the empty chair was the notice: "The 'Perfect Driver." It is true enough. There are no perfect drivers. Many are excellent, but none incapable of error. In Vic-toria last year 433 persons were killed and 7523 injured in accidents on the road, in spite of constant ef-forts by the police to check dan-gerous driving and persistent propa-ganda by the National Safety Coun-cil urging caution in all circumstances. No doubt the number of killed and injured would have been larger but for these activities. The standard of driving in Tas-mania is high. There are reckless and careless motorists in plenty, but the general level is good. The en-forcement of the promised compul-sory dimming regulation will help to eliminate one of the worst dangers of the road. A winter warning against skids on wet or snow-covered roads is necessary, particularly to those whose tyres have lost most of their tread. And it is always well to remember that the drivers con-cerned in most serious accidents have never had a mishap before. Past freedom from trouble is no guarantee of future immunity. And even one mistake may be just one too many.