Motorists Warned

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 45, 24 February 1936, Page 8

Motorists Warned

WILL CANCEL LICENSES OF INTOXICATED DRIVERS.

MAGISTRATE STOUT'S VIEWS.

When application by counsel was made to Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., in tho Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning for non-cancellation of the license of a man who was charged with being intoxicated whilst in charge of a car in the city the Bench issued a warning to motorists.

“I am going to make it a rule that, even where a man’s livelihood depends on the driving of a car, liis license wul be cancelled in every case of this kind. These offences are becoming far too prevalent and the sooner this is understood the better. There are far too many motor accidents on the road .ud far too many drunken motorists,” he said, adding that because Magistrate’*, in the past had been lenient drivers, dependent on their cars for livelihood, had taken advantage of the face.

“If tho livelihood of a man depends on driving his car the sooner lie gives up drink the better,” concluded the Bench.

This comment was mado during the case when Ivan Percival Ross, aged 3(5 years, of Eketahuna, was charged with having been in charge of a motor car in Main street on February 21 whilst in a state of intoxication.

Defendant, who was represented by Mr P. S. Page (Eketahuna), pleaded guilty.

For the police Sergeant, O’Donnell explained that Ross had collided with another car about 4 p.m. He had been driving on tho wrong side of the road, the police had been sent for and a doctor had certified defendant as not being in a fit state to drive. Ross had a previous conviction for a similar offence, stated the Sergeant.

Counsel submitted that defendant, who was married and had four children, was a builder and entirely dependent on his car to get to jobs in the country. On the day of the offence ho had first been to Shannon and on arrival at Palmerston North had had trouble with his car. He had gone without a meal and had sent tho vehicle in for repairs. While waiting for it he had had some drink. Ho had not been driving at a dangerous speed when the collision had occurred although he had definitely been on tho wrong side of the road. His previous offence at Hastings thirteen months ago had been only a -minor offence, defendant merely bcig found asleep in his car. The offence was a serious one, said Mr Stout, who declared that he would not bo doing his duty if he did not cancel the defendant’s driving license. He would be fined £ls and his license cancelled for two years. Medical fees, amounting to £1 Is, would also have to be paid.