Heavier Penalties On Erring Drivers Urged

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28559, 12 April 1958, Page 8

Heavier Penalties On Erring Drivers Urged

(Neio Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 11. An all-round tightening up On the erring driver as the most {effective means of reducing road deaths in the Dominion was urged by the Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison) in addressing the New Zealand Road Safety Council yesterday. “We must take immediate steps to curb our rising toll of death and injury on the roads. If we can do this through increased penalties, then that course should be adopted," said the Minister. The Minister said the whole system of apnroach to the problem of road safety should be reviewed and he asked thmt the council should consider aspects I now being examined. 1 These included the adequacy of the present patrol staff and increased use of motor-cycles on the busiest roads, more microwave speed checks, • the overhauling of the tests for drivers’ licences, encouragement of local road safety committees, intensification of road safety publicity in respecct of particular hazards at particular times, and consolidation of traffic regulations to make them more easily understood. “Concentrated Effort” Reiterating that he had not been entirely satisfied of the adequacy of existing penalties for the more serious traffic offences, including drunken driving, the Minister suggested- a concentrated effort “to wipe out what I consider the greatest menace on our roads, the drunken driver, the irresponsible and reckless driver, and the inconsiderate driver. “I have proposed that the more serious type of traffic offences should merit heavier penalties,” he said. “At present a person convicted of intoxicated driving—one who was actually drivingmust have his licence cancelled for at least a year for the first offence and for five years for the second or subsequent offences. ‘‘The proposal is that the mim-

mum terms of cancellation be increased to three years for the first offence and 10 years for the second or subsequent offences. Right of Appeal “It is also suggested the present system of allowing intoxi? cated drivers the right of apnea! against the period of disqualification after six months be altered. so that, no appeal can bo lodged until 12 months have expired. “For negligent and reckless driving, the regulation provides that upon conviction the licence is to be cancelled for a minimum of 28 days. I suggest this period be increased to a minimum of three months. “Also, at present, compulsory cancellation of the licence applies to negligent and reckless driving causing no injury, but not where injury or death is -caused. It is proposed that compulsory cancellation shall apply in both cases.” At present, said the Minister, suspension of the licence upon conviction for driving without due care or reasonable consideration was limited to one month for a first offence and to three months for a second offence. He proposed that those limits should no longer apply, and also that the Court should have power to cancel or suspend a driver’s licence for a first subsequent offence consisting solely of exceeding any speed limit. “We can ill afford the the injuring and the maiming which is going on on our roads. I for one have resolve to do all I can -to stop this slaughter,” added the Minister. All proposals were aimed at the licence of the offender. Decision Deferred When the* Minister’s proposals were being considered by the council, it was decided, on the motion of Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, Q.C., the council should agree in principle to a proposed increase in penalties for motoring offences, and, in particular the proposal to deal with driving licences of offenders, but that a decision be deferred until- a special meeting of the council after the proposals had been considered by interested parties. The special meeting of the council to be called to consider the Minister’s proposals was tentatively fixed for June 19. PEDESTRIAN ALMOST DROWNS! A man who fell from a bridge this morning, luckily escaped with no more than a bad fright. He explained that he was «*o interested in the young lady in front of him that he lost his footing. There’s no wdnder he was captivated, the lady was wearing beautifully enhancing ARISTOC hosiery. ARISTOC were created with an occasion in mind, to beautify your legs, to blend perfectly with any outfit. Once again fashion looks to ARISTOC and ARISTOC looks ahead. —Advt. 6.‘