DRIVING LICENSES SUSPENDED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21714, 22 February 1936, Page 7

DRIVING LICENSES SUSPENDED

TRAFFIC OFFENDERS IN WELLINGTON (PRJSS ASSOCIA.TIOK TBtXOBAUj WELLINGTON, February 21. / Exemplary punishment was meted out by Mr W. F. Stilwell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, when six offenders against traffic by-laws had their licenses suspended for periods from three to 12 months. Two endorsements were made. The magistrate indicated that if dangerous driving did not abate, more, frequent application of. v the powers of cancellation and prohibition might have to be resorted to. ,- . ' For the city council, Mr A. R. Cooper asked the court to consider the advisability of cancelling or endorsing drivers' licenses in cases of dangerous driving. Speeding was becoming prevalent said Mr Cooper, and the traffic authorities were anxious for .a deterrent. It seemed that the imposition of fines was not acting as a sufficient deterrent, and he would ask the court to consider the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act in dealing with offending drivers' licenses, either in addition to or in lieu of a monetary .penalty. The magistrate, expressing interest in the views submitted by counsel, said it was apparent with the great improvement in recent years in. rapid acceleration and easy riding qualities of the modern motor-car, that there was an increasing proportion of drivers who disregarded, either uncoris6iously or deliberately, the rights and safety of the larger body of more reasonable users of the highway. He then proceeded to deal with the offenders in the manner above indicated.