Granting of licence questioned

Press, 18 May 1982, Page 4

Granting of licence questioned

PA Wellington The circumstances in which the driver of a car that crashed into a power pole resulting in the death of two passengers had been granted a licence, ought to be examined, Judge M. F. Hobbs said in the District Court at Lower Hutt yesterday. A representative of the man’s employers, a local baker, gave evidence in court that the man had intellectual handicaps, had taken five years to get his driver’s licence and used to memorise road signs by their symbols. Kenneth Fraser, aged 24, baker’s labourer, pleaded guilty to separate charges of causing the deaths of Tuakana Rangi and Benjamin Rawson Brown by carelessly using a motor-vehicle on October 10 at Koro Koro.

He also pleaded guilty to driving a motor-vehicle while having an excess

blood-alcohol level and operating a motor-vehicle without a current warrant of fitness.

He further pleaded guilty to causing bodily injury to lan William Skachill by carelessly using a motor-vehicle. Judge Hobbs said a monetary penalty was appropriate bearing in mind that the accident appeared to have resulted simply from the striking of the kerb by one of the wheels of the accused’s car.

On each of the charges of causing death and of causing bodily injury by carelessly using a motor-vehicle, Fraser was convicted and fined $250.

On the charge of excess blood-alcohol level, he was convicted and fined $5OO. For not having a current warrant of fitness, he was convicted and discharged. A period of 12 months disqualification from driving was imposed.