MOTOR ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 20

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

Several Offenders Fined

While turning on his bicycle from Jervois Quay toward the wharves on the evening of May 5, a waterside worker, Martin O’Brien, was knockci from his machine by a taxi-driver, Peter Bardebes. A sequel to the accident was heard in the Magistrates Court, Wellington, yesterday, when Bardebes was charged with negligent driving and fined 20/- and costs by Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M. In evidence, O’Brien said he put out his arm to indicate he was making the turn. His machine was struck by defendant’s taxi, and witness was thrown on to the road, but was not injured. Bardebes did all he could to assist, witness.

Defendant said he did not see O'Brien until he hit him. Be was searching in his pocket at the moment for sixpence for a wharf toll. He thought O'Brien should have seen him approaching, as bis lights were bright. A lorry driver, Francis Rule, was lined 10/- and costs for cutting a corner in Adelaide Road. He knocked down an elderly woman just as he was pulling up. She was not burl, however.

Another taxi driver, Burford M alton Sagar, who knocked down a young cyclist while turning into Adams Terrace, was fined 10/- and costs for cutting a corner. Leslie Arthur Kenny was lined 30/and costs for driving a milk van at too fast a speed up Cuba Street. His vehicle and a motor-ear driven by John Victor Wadham came into collision at the intersection of Ghuznee Street and Cuba Street. Mr. Mosley said no motorist should approach that intersection at. more than 10 miles an hour. There was no doubt that Kenny was driving too fast at the time, added the magistrate, but he had been commendably honest in his evidence. A charge of failing to give way' to the right brought, against Wadham was dismissed.

A charge of dangerous driving was preferred against William-Nicholls following an accident in Jervois Quay in which an old man of 84, Charles Frederic Dorizac, was knocked down by defendant’s car. A member of the Central Fire Brigade, William Bergin Trott, who was standing outside the station, gave evidence that the man was between 15 feet and 20 feet out on the roadway when he was hit by defendant’s car, which he estimated was travelling at 35 miles an hour. Two other witnesses gave evidence as to the speed of the car, which they assessed at between 30 and 35 miles au hour.

From the witness-box, defendant said he noticed the old man stepping off the footpath. Witness’s speed was 20 miles au hour. He sounded his horn and then was momentarily dazzled by the lights of a car coming in the opposite direction. He saw the man again. He seemed io hesitate and then moved forward, and, walking into the left-hand rear mudguard of the car, was knocked over. Visibility was not good at the time.’ Witness swerved in an effort to avoid the pedestrian. A passenger in defendant’s car, Clifford Hewitt, gave corroborative evidence. The speed of the car, he said, was between 20 and 25 miles an hour. Defendant was fined £2 and costs and his licence was endorsed.