—And a Year's Fatalities Meanwhile the tragic figures of last
year's accidents„ fatal and otherwise, have been issued. In 1934 no fewer than 7,273 persons were killed and 231,698 injured in accidents in which vehicles were involved on the roads of Great Britain. The corresponding figures for 1933 were 7,202 and 216,328, the difference reflecting broadly the increase in the number of cars on the road last year as compared with the year before it. In the 'United States, it is worth observing, the fatalities last year were 35,000. The population is about three times the size of ours, but that is a quite inadequate basis of comparison, since the number of cars licensed is eleven times as many as here, and the road mileage is of course far greater. The statistics of the fatalities in this country tell their own story, and no comment is needed except that so long as slaughter on this scale continues the Minister of Transport has a sound defence against any charge of excess of zeal in the imposition of restrictions in his efforts to preserve life. But it is obvious that motorists are responsible in part only for the toll of life. On that the investigations now set on foot will throw useful light. One not unimportant point is worth emphasizing. To require drivers to be perpetually taking their eyes off the road to pick out the details in a forest of road-side signs is simply to invite further disaster.
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