INTOXICATED MOTORISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

INTOXICATED MOTORISTS.

NEW YORK WARNING.

GAOL WITHOUT OPTION.

A New York magistrate, Mr. F. 'B. House, has made a New Year's resolve. " The first objective of this Court," he said, sternly regarding a prisoner, 1 will be to reduce immediately by 25 per cent.l the number of persons driving automobiles while intoxicated. No .-entences of less than sixty days in the workhouse will be given, and sentences will be increased to the limit, ix months, if necessary. This Court has been too lenient with this class of violations." Thereupon he sent to the workhouse for sixty-days William Grimes, 23 years old, ;a, chauffeur. Grimes was arrested in Lenox Avenue. He said he was sober, but after listening to the story of.' a policeman, the magistrate believed it rather than- that of Grimes. , . * .. .■' Mr. House had before him figures indicating that 60,137 violations of the traffic l*w3 were passed upon by the Court in 1922. This was an increase of 9308 cases over the worst previous year, 1920 and 9946 . over the number .> in 1921. Of the culprits arrainged last year, 11,939 were first, 974 second and 84 third offenders. The number found 'guilty of driving while under the influence of liquor was 153; of reckless driving, 390 £io„ fines 414,207 dollars were collected: 4088 persons were sent to gaol. . ' The magistrate also had in mind a report made by ! the National Highways Protective Society, which said:— , '.- 7 "Automobiles and motor trucks caused the death of 1902 persons in New York city ; and State in the year 1922. Of this number, 860 were" killed in the city of New York, 289 being killed by motor trucks. In December 170 persons were Med m the State by motor trucks and automobiles, of which 77 occurred in greater New York, 18 being killed by motor trucks, and eight occupants of automobiles were killed at highway railwav crossings. New York State is away behind the other States in adequate laws governing the operation of automobiles. Besides, sufficient money is not provided for officials to properly enforce even existing laws. '■ :./.".■;'. ■'■■'."' : -\' .;■?■■.•:■.%•■■ ' '.-•■■■■-■-. ■,»;