CAR TO SUIT FIGURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20603, 3 November 1941, Page 4

CAR TO SUIT FIGURE

SUGGESTION BY S.M. STOUT MAN’S TROUBLE A motorist who drives his car from the passenger seat, his proportions making it impossible for him to sit behind the steering-wheel, was charged in the Te Aroha Magistrate’s Court with driving in a manner that might be dangerous to the public. A traffic inspector, Mr. D. E. Morrow, said he signalled defendant to stop to let some cyclists through, and noticed that he had difficulty in pulling up his vehicle, as he had to reach across the steering wheel to grab the hand brake. Defendant was in the habit of sitting in the passenger seat while driving. “You will notice,” said Mr. F. E. Burns, for the defence, “that my client is somewhat corpulent. It would be impossible for nim to sit behind the steering-wheel of his car. That is why he sits in the passenger seat.” The magistrate: When a person finds himself in that position he should have a car built to suit his figure type. Mr. Burns: Perhaps he should take a course of slimming? The magistrate: Anyway, we can’t have men careering round the country driving in the position defendant does. Possibly the proper course would be to bring the matter before the traffic authorities to see if some adjustment could be made to the wheel to raise it above his —er — chest. Inspector Morrow: That was done for a former member of Parliament, and it could be done for this man. The magistrate reserved his decision..