RAN INTO SAFETY ZONE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18563, 22 November 1923, Page 11

RAN INTO SAFETY ZONE.

COLLISION AT MIDNIGHT,

CHARGE AGAINST MOTORIST.

The outcome of a motorist's collision with a safety 'zone in Queen Street shortly before ■ midnight on October 26 was a case heard in the Police Court yesterday, when Poland Baker (Mr. A. Moody) denied driving a car in a manner dangerous to the public.

Constable Parker stated that about 11.45 p.m. he saw defendant's car go down Queen Street at about 10 to 12 mileu an hour and strike the safety zone at the corner of : Queen and " Victoria Streets. Witness said defendant was under the influence of liquor. , ■ "'',.,.'."--".'''' To Mr. Moody, witness said the zone was lighted by a street arc lamp near by. The weather was drizzling.. Defendant received an abrasion on the head, and was dazed by the accident. His breath smelled of liquor. ' - Sergeant Brown and Constable Collins, who spoke to defendant shortly after the collision, both considered he was under the influence of liquor. He was dazed by the shock.

Defendant, in evidence, said that before leaving home about 8 p.m. he had a "whisky for medicinal purposes," and that was the only drink he had that even. ing. It was raining heavily when he left the cabaret in Queen Street. This was the first time he had driven down that portion of Queen Street at night, and he was , not , aware cl the safety zone*. He was perfectly sober. Cross-examined, witness admitted two convictions for dangerous driving. . . > '.:.-..;.,,'. • Two witnesses who had been .at the cabaret with defendant and were in the vicinity of the zone when the collision iccnrrsd, gave evidence that they had noticed no sign of liquor on defendant. One of them had asked defendant to drive his wife and daughter to the tram at Customs Street, and they were in the car at the time.

- The magistrate said he thought defendant must have been negligent to have Jut such an object as a safety zone. But in view of the fact that he had incurred heavy expenses by the damage; to his. car, he would be merely convict and ordered to pay costs.,. '.