Warning On Competence Of Young Drivers

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30064, 23 February 1963, Page 14

Warning On Competence Of Young Drivers

fNew Zealand Preu Association)

HASTINGS. February 22. Parente who lent their children an would do well to ascertain beforehand the road* over which they would travel, said the Coroner. Mr W. S. Sheppard, at an inquest at Hastings this rooming into the dearth at Elaine Judith Strother*. who was killed in a motor accident on the lower Tukutufci road on December L The car occupant* were partiap*rt*n< in a ear rally conducted by a church orgamtaartfon. "Ctoe often reflects.” said Mr Sheppend. •'that a boy ■ or girt may be a quite competent driver under normal conditions, but on a difficult road, or under unfavourable weather condition*, that competence can be seriously affected by lack of experience and mature judgment that only comes with the years. ‘Ona sometimes wonders whether 16 years is too young to hold a driver’s licence. These young persons were engaged in a harmless social

icrivirty. and it could be that the exritenmut of the moment created a f a-lae sense of aecurity, obliterating for a moment the dangers of the road.” Mr Sheppard found that Elaine Judith Stmthera had died from injuries received in an accident when a car driven by Bruce Ronald Gibb* had rolled into a gully, causing her to be thrown out.