OLD MAN’S DRIVING LICENCE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 271, 12 August 1938, Page 15

OLD MAN’S DRIVING LICENCE

Magistrate’s Comment

HOLDER FINED £3 FOR NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Dominion' Special Service.

Auckland, August 10.

The Issuing of a driving licence to a man aged 78 and of impaired hearing was criticised by Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, iS.M., in the Magistrate’s Court when George Allen appeared on summons in answer to a charge of negligent driving in Mount Eden Road on May 30. Defendant, who was not represented by counsel, pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that defendant had driven along Mount Eden Road and was in the act of turning into another street when his ear was struck by a motor-lorry. Defendant, in evidence, said that when he began to make the turn he saw two motor-lorries approaching him but they were a good distance away. He considered he could have negotiated the turn safely had not the speed of the lorries been excessive. In answer to Sub-Inspector Fox, defendant said he was 78 years of age. He admitted his hearing was defective but said he had no difficulty in hearing traffic. With glasses his vision was excellent “I saw my doctor recently, defendant added, “and he said I was fit for anything.” (Laughter.) The magistrate said the evidence showed defendant had crossed the road into the path of two oncoming lorries. There was no doubt he committed a negligent act. “He is a man of 78, admittedly of good health, but with his hearing impaired,” said Mr. Orr Walker. “In such circumstances there is always a danger that what he does not see he may not hear. I cannot understand how he has been able to get his driving licence renewed. If I thought this was a bad case of negligent driving I would deprive him of his licence. On the evidence, however, I do not propose to do that.” Defendant was fined £3 and ordered to pay costs amounting to £l/16/-. The magistrate directed the police to inform the local authorities who had issued defendant’s licence of the facts of the case.