THE TRIALS OF MOTORISTS.

Evening Star, Issue 23128, 30 November 1938, Page 7

THE TRIALS OF MOTORISTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I would like to voice my protest regarding the statement made by Mr R. A. Donnelly in the ‘ Star ’ tonight, under the heading of ‘ (Reckless Motorists.’ Perhaps he is a non-driver and does not realise the trials and tribulations of the driver, but if he is a regular driver he will, perhaps, have noticed that the jaywalkers he mentions are the biggest problem with which a driver has to contend. Let me point out to him that in the North Island jaywalkers are stopped and ■given a typewritten invitation to visit the local S.M., and this has, in many ways, helped materially to overcome traffic control problems. Let me suggest that the traffic inspectors, about whom R.A.D. is so enthusiastic, be instructed to act in the same manner as the North Island inspectors and then sit back and watch the results. He also says that, in his opinion, Dunedin citizens are to be envied for the manner in which they abide by the D.C.C. traffic regulations. They certainly are to be envied, but only for the amount of luck which they must possess to be able to meander across any street at any angle they may choose. In Sydney or Melbourne they would, in less than fiie minutes, be “deceased.” Next let me inform him that the traffic regulations he speaks of are not those of the D.C.C., but are Government decrees. Finally, the commissions that he presumes to be the cause of his complaint are a thing of the past except for one company, which pays wages for each shift worked, and, at night, almost invariably after 6 or 7 o’clock, the driver may work spare time, and he is then entitled to a percentage of bis takings. The extra money received is so small that no driver would risk facing a serious charge being preferred against him just for the sake of a few extra pence. The motto for the pedestrian is, for his own protection: “ Keep to the yellow lines.”—l am, etc., Taxi Driver. November 29. „