INTOXICATION OF DRIVERS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26874, 29 October 1952, Page 7

INTOXICATION OF DRIVERS

“Dangerous To Limit Testimonies ” OPINION OF MOTOR UNIONS (New Zealand Press Association) NELSON. October 28. The existing law relating to evidence of intoxication of drivers should not be disturbed, tn the opinion of the North and South Island Motor Unions. A statement issued by the presidents of the two motor unions (Messrs W. H. Brown dnd C. M. Rout) says that the Commissioner of Transport (Mr G. L. Laurenson) is reported as stating last week that the Road Safety Council had adopted the following recommendations: — 1. That-the Courts should regard an experienced police officer or traffic officer as fully competent and qualified to give sufficient evidence of the state of intoxication of the person in charge of the motor vehicle. 2. That a medical practitioner should be called in such cases to certify only that the suspect is not suffering from any condition as would simulate alcoholism. Both motor unions, at their annual meetings held within the last few weeks, have carefully considered these recommendations. They decided, say the presidents, that under the existing law and its administration by the Courts it is competent for Magistrates to call and judge evidence according to the whole circumstances and it is dnagerous to limit the testimonies of the medical professions as proposed in clause 2. Accordingly the unions are of the opinion that the existing law should not be disturbed. Mr'Laurenson was notified of this by a letter dated October 2, according to the presidents’ statement.