RECKLESS DRIVERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 209, 18 August 1927, Page 7

RECKLESS DRIVERS

PROTECTION FOR PEDESTRIANS MOTION IN UPPER HOUSE. Wellington, Aug. 17. Hie Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie moved in the Legislative Council this afternoon:— “That, in view of the great risk pedestrians are constantly exposed to through reckless driving of motor vehicles, together with the alarming increase ot fatalities, the Council is of opinion that the laws dealing with such matters require amending in order that reasonable protection may be provided for the people.'’ The mover referred to the great increase in accidents, and said the thing was becoming very serious. It was coming to a pretty pass when school children could not safely pass along the streets because oi' road hogs. There appeared to be carelessness in the issuing of motor licenses to people who were not fit to drive. He hoped the Act would be made more effective.

The Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Stout seconded the motion-

The Leader of the Council (the Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell) suggested that the best remedy would be to strike out the top line. The dangers were nearly all created by excited drivers. Danger in city streets was inevitable, and it was not possible to provide absolute safety except by means of overhead or subterranean ways. The Hon. J. Barr said that already local bodies had power to afford protection. He was not convinced that tho present law required amendment. Ths Hon. F. H. Reed agreed that the matter was largely in the hands of local bodies. Pedestrians were sometimes largely at fault- Local bodies were not severe enough in the matter of scorching and did not take sufficient advantage of their powers.

The Hon. M. Cohen said the penalty for stealing and destroying cars should be increased. Tn replying Sir Thomas Mackenzie said he had trusted to the Government to increase the penalties. The motion was carried.