“LUST FOR SPEED”

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 17, 15 October 1926, Page 8

“LUST FOR SPEED”

—_—> CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS “It is that lust tor speed that these motor-cyclists are affected with that causes nine-tenths of these collisions,” said His Honour Mr. Justice Sim, in the Court of Appeal yesterday, during the hearing of a claim for damages arising out of a motor collision. Counsel for plaintiff said that his client accelerated in order to avoid a motor-car. The driver of that vehicle also accelerated, with the result that there was a collision. “If neither had made a move,” said counsel,” "they would have been waiting there until Doomsday for each other to pass.” “There was no need to wait that long,” observed Mr. Justice Sim. Counsel contended that it was only natural for his client to accelerate. “Oh, yes, push on at. all costs. That is the guiding spirit of the motorcyclist,” remarked His Honour. "Surely the car had as much right on the road as (he motor-cycle,” said the Chief Justice. “Some motor-cyclUts,” said Mr. Justice Sim, “look upon the mere pedestrian as dirt. They expect him to nop out of the way, but surely they don’t expect the same thing from motorcars.” . Mr. Justice MacGregor (whimsically) : Let’s hope thev will be like Kilkenny cats, and kill each other Mn Justice Alpers was questioning counsel in regard to the speed of the vehicles, when the latter interposed: “What does too fast mean, anyhow?” The question drew a sharp rebuke from the Bench. "Don’t ask me questions, please!” retorted His Honour. “Make your submissions.”