Police Fail In Traffic Lights Prosecution

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 15

Police Fail In Traffic Lights Prosecution

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY, May 27. The police and motor transport departments are urgently examining a Sydney magistrate’s decision on traffic lights. The decision makes it doubtful whether police can get a conviction against anybody charged with disobeying the lights. The New South Wales Government may have to introduce new regulations quickly to prevent chaos. The Police Department is examining the implications of the decision, the Motor Transport Department has legal experts preparing a report for the Transport Minister, Mr McMahon, who will probably consult the Crown Solicitor. Two leading Sydney lawyers said today that anyone charged with disobeying traffic light signals would be fool[ish to plead guilty. In Redfern Court last Thursday Mr R. J. Bartley,

S.M., dismissed a charge of disobeying traffic lights because the police did not prove that the lights had been erected in accordance with traffic regulations. | Mr J. T. Studdert, who ap'peared for the driver, said | the regulations required that i traffic lights be erected by the Commissioner of Police. After a two-hour adjournment the prosecution did not • produce evidence and Mr ► "artley dismissed the charge. f Two leading Sydney lawyers said today that Mr Bartley’s decision would make it j very difficult for the police ' to provide the evidence re- • quired in such cases. 1 For example, it might be t necessary to call the Police ■ Commissioner of the Road ■| Transport Commissioner per--.'sonally in every traffic light icase to prove they had auth- - orised erection of the lights! > concerned. The lawyers said it could • be expected that the defence which succeeded before Mr 1 Bartley would be raised in , other cases.