OFFENDING MOTORISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18348, 14 March 1923, Page 9

OFFENDING MOTORISTS.

PUNISHMENT IN COURT.

FINES CONSIDERED . TOO LIGHT.

[by telegraph.— correspondent.] CHRISTChSrCH. Tuesday. A suggestion that a deputation from the By-law Committee should have a talk with city magistrates on the question of the amount of the fines imposed on offenders against the traffic by-laws was made at a meeting of the City Council by the Mayor, Dr. Thacker. He said the city motor inspector had drawn his attention to the poor fines and penalties inflicted by magistrates, often after the cases had taken three weeks or a month to bring to a conclusion. The work of the inspectors was increasing considerably, and when they took cases to the Magistrate's Court the offenders were frequently fined only a paltry amount. Mr. Martin suggested that the council or the By-laws Committee should consider the question of having drivers' certificates endorsed whenever they were convicted, and after they were convicted several times to have the certificate cancelled. The Mayor: That is done in other cities. Mr. Martin said a number of motorists were absolutely reckless, and drastic action should be taken against them. .. Mr: McCombs said that in Melbourne boys distributed literature explaining to citizens the rule, of the road and asking them to observe it. Something of the same kind should be done in Christchurch. Mr. Andrews said a "Safety First" campaign had been conducted last year. However, it had not been supported by i local bodies to any great extent, .and the work had been handicapped. An educative, campaign was still a necessity.