UNFIT TO DRIVE CAR?

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 171, 22 July 1930, Page 17

UNFIT TO DRIVE CAR?

MAN WITH MT. EDEN LICENSE.

COMPLAINT DEEMED "TRIVIAL."

"This complaint is trivial and shows prejudice. It could have well been dealt with verbally," said Mr. H. Bransgrove, traffic inspector of Mount Eden, at last evening's meeting of the borough council concerning a complaint received from an Auckland City Council traffic inspector alleging incompetency on the part of a motor driver holding a license issued in Mount Eden.

The city inspector said he was on point duty at Grafton Bridge and about 12.30 one day a car stopped outside the Tivoli Theatre. When he signalled the cars to proceed ho noticed that the person in question -was in difficulties. He put his car into reverse and backed into a car behind him. He did this two or three times, whereupon tho traffic inspector went over to the car and found that the driver was trembling-and in a very nervous condition. He said that it was tho first time ho had driven a car by himself over an intersection and he was rather nervous. The man on point duty drove the oar into Symonds Street and found that the driver was the possessor of a Mount Eden driving license. In the opinion of the traffic inspector the driver was not fit to hold a license. In reporting on the complaint, Mr." Bransgrove said the driver had passed his test creditably. On the day in question he had driven to town in order to have the clutch of the car attended to as it was shifting. He was unable to get this rectified and was driving home when he was held up near Grafton Bridge by the traffic inspector. When he tried to start again the clutch shifted and the car jumped backwards and forwards about three times.. He was abused by the driver behind and admitted being nervous when the traffic inspector spoke sharply to him.

I have had many similar instances and minor accidents caused by drivers who have obtained licenses from other licensing authorities within a few days of their being granted driving licenses," he concluded, "but I have never thought of making any complaints as I quite realised that one cannot expect these persons to become experts in a few weeks."

On the motion of Mr. E. H. Potter, the' Mayor, it was decided that Mr! Bransgrove's report be received and a copy sent to the traffic inspector of the City Council.