DEAF MOTORISTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 March 1928, Page 4

DEAF MOTORISTS

Sir, —The implication, made by Mr. ff . \N . Tate. S.M., during the hearing or a ease of negligent driving in Opunake, does not appeal to me as being lair to the .many thousands of drivers who suffer from various degrees of deafness. That the prevalency of motor accidents is with us no one will dispute ; we read of them every day in any paper; but yet we never hear of one being caused directly or indirectly through deafness. On the other hand, tlie deaf man’s limitation makes Mm a more careful driver. He uses his eyes and trusts altogether to what he actually does see, taking nothing for granted. This method of wheel work is perhaps more noticeable under certain circumstances’, say at the more dangerous places, ( such as cross roads and railway crossings and passing other vehicles, again by the use of the eye both in the mirror and in front. I hold that the prime requisite for safe driving Is good sight, and if deafness is one of the causes of accident, then w|iy don’t we see the same mentioned ‘‘even now and, again.” In conclusion, l give Mr R.. W. Tate an invitation to come for a drive with a man who has been deaf for many years.—l am, etc., W. JOBSON. JH awera.