PRICE OF SPEED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 240, 29 September 1930, Page 5

PRICE OF SPEED

THIRTY-THBBE FATALITIES ERRING MOTORISTS Convictions for motoring offences in New Zealand last year averaged one for every 18 vehicles on the road. Although the offences include several thousands of trivial breaches, an analysis just issued by the Justice Department discloses also that 462 drivers were prosecuted for being drunk in charge of motor vehicles, while 33 were charged with negligent driving resulting in death.

In the first group, 44 cases were dismissed, while there were four acquittals on tho charges respecting loss of life. Among the graver charges there were also live cases of alleged negligent driving endangering life, which resulted in two dismissals. Traffic prosecutions of all types last year totalled 18,423, and 1239 cases were dismissed. The total cannot be entirely recorded tci the discredit of tho motorist, as tho official statistics of traffic offenccii embrace erring cyclists numbering over 800, and 60 intoxicated drivers of horse vehicles, while 268 irrosponsibles convicted for unlawfully converting motor vehicles are hardly fair recruits to motoring. If tho statistics are limited to actual offences in respect to tho use of motor vehicles, the total last year was 10,284 convictions, or 5.93 per cent, of tho motor vehicles in the North Island, and 4.98 per cent, of the motors in use in tho South Island. COSTLY NEGLECT. Tho prosecutions resulted in 91 per cent of convictions, and the predominant offence was the neglect of lighting. Those trivial breaches must have cost motorists some thousands of pounds in the aggregate of fines, where as many shillings and a little care would have avoided a,summons. Carelessness with number plates and the transfer of licenses was responsible for 3558 cases, and there were 3833 prosecutions for dangerous driving. Mere excess of speed limits brought 1763 drivers to tho courts. Convictions against women drivers totalled 618. including 161 for negligent or dangerous driving, and 60 for speeding. One woman was convicted of being intoxicated while in charge of a car. In tho absence of statistics showing the number of women holding driving licenses, the court appearances contribute nothing in settlement, of the argument regarding the relative virtues and vices of male and female drivers.