RECKLESS MOTORISTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18242, 28 November 1924, Page 11

RECKLESS MOTORISTS.

TO 7RE EDITOR OF "THE P3ESS." Sir, —Your sub-leader in to-day's issus of "The Preys'' relative to rules and regulations governing motorists touches a. very vital point. It is undeniable that very many motorists in this city —some with licenses and some without -*-drive with a recklessness entirely outside the bounds of safety either to themselves, other motorists, or the public generally. Whilst, motoring recently, members of my family .were unfortunate enough to be the vict ims of one of these j road-hogs—a taxi-driver at that—and it was almost a miracle that they were not killed outright. ICow, this speed merchant, driving at an estimated rate of *lO miles an hour on a dark night, did not, even own the ear he was driving, neither was he insured agaiust accident. The result is that this man, guilty of a criminal negligence, by reason of his lack of means, can simply snap his : lingers at' any action which' might be taken against liim for the recovery of damages. The police do not take'proceedings, fearing that it may prejudice a civil action, and as it is unlikely that good money will be thrown after bad, this particular taxi-driver is at liberty to .seek out-fresh victims as often as he likes. The onus of bringing these roadhogs to book should not be on the inspectors, who generally aro very much overworked. The law should put the responsibility on tho motor-driver, who would then be obliged to exercise more care, knowing the penalty. It, appears to me,'as the law now stands, that a motorist who can put a. few pounds down and procure a ear under the hirepurchase system, can take any kind, of risk, and the fact that he is without means gives him a license to drive recklessly without any consideration to life and' limb. It should be illegal for any motorist to drive a vehicle unless he possessed a. certificate ? of ability and was indemnified against all risk.—Yours, etc., . ■ F.O.E. rs'ovembcr L'Oth.