"RULE OF RIGHT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1940, Page 10

"RULE OF RIGHT."

PRACTICAL PROBLEMS.

" MUST BE REASONABLE."

MAGISTRATE'S REMARKS.

"The 'rule of the right' in traffic cases must be given reasonable interpre a tion," remarked Mr. E. C. Levvey, » -> in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court the other day. He described it as a * er y vexed question and one which caused an unnecessary amount of trouble. Ln or tunately, he said, the view of this regulation was affected by all kinds of complications and he thought it advisable to make a brief statement in the application of the rule. "In everyday drning, the magistrate continued, "we are with this position all the time. We approach a right-hand corner keeping a careful lookout, driving at a reasonable speed, and taking all precautions. But until we actually reach the corner we cannot see if any traffic is coming on the right. The car on the right also, presumably, is taking all due care. On seeing the car on the right we stop dead. If the other car comes and rams us, are we to be treated ap failing to give way to traffic on the right? We are not, because there must be a reasonable interpretation" of the rule." Mr. Levvey added that he would like to see the rule made absolute as far as possible, but it must be applied reasonably. He dismissed a charge against a woman driver of failing to give way, holding that the speed of . the other ear was excessive.