RECENT MOTOR FATALITY

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 87, 9 October 1920, Page 6

RECENT MOTOR FATALITY

EXPERT EVIDENCE ON BRAKES.

The inquiry into the death of Mr. Alfred Talbot Maile at the Hospital on 29th September as a result of injuries received by his being struck by a 'motorcar driven by William Arthur Webb at Courtenay-place>, was continued by Mr. J. S. Evans, Coroner, yesterday afternoon.

Edward Kerr said he considered that the car was being driven at an excessive speed. Frederick William M'Courtie, motor traffic inspector for the City Council, said that an examination of Webb's car had shown that the brakes and steering gear were in good order. It was found that from a speed of fifteen miles per hour the foot-brake would stop the car in 24ft, and the hand-brake in 34ft, while when both brakes were thrown on for an emergency stop the car stopped dead, though the crown wheel was broken. Having regard for the safety of the passengers, an emergency stop from a speed of 15 miles per hour could be made within about lift.

To Mr. Blair: Webb was a licensed taxi-car driver, and was a competent man. He gave witness every assistance, and gave perfectly fair brake tests. Assuming that the driver was endeavouring to avoid the hand-cart on the left, and the men on his right seemed to hesitate, it was' his duty to pull up if there was insufficient room to pass between, or to slacken speed if there was sufficient room. At the same time the driver would probably turn his car away from the men instinctively. There were indications on the road of the car having been strongly braked just before reaching the spot where the accident occurred. To the Coroner: Had the speed been eight miles an hour the car could have been pulled up, with safety to the passengers, within 7ft.

Further evidence will be heard on, Monday.