DRIVING TESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22955, 5 February 1938, Page 20

DRIVING TESTS

COEONER'S OPINION MORE STRINGENCY URGED INQUEST ON MOTOR-CYCLIST COLLISION WITH A CAR "I think the groat traffic on the ri>,nils now should necessitate much more stringent driving tests," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.AL, coroner, at an inquest held yesterday to inquire into the death of .lark Kiinber, a motorcyclist, aged 18, who was killed on the Great. South Road at Wiri on September 5, in a collision with a motor-car. The coroner made his remarks about driving tests when he was told that the driver of the, car suffered ironi a disabilitv of one arm.

Mr. J. R. Elliott appeared for the relatives' of deceased, and Air. A. L. Tompkins for Phillip Pile, clerk, of Hamilton, the driver ol the car. Sergeant Ferguson appeared for the police.

Dr. J. J. Valentine, of Papatoetoe, said he was called to the scene ot the accident, and found deceased suffering from shock and laceration of the brain, which caused death shortly alter. Changing of Course Constable 'McGuiro read a statement by the motorist, who stated he was driving front Hamilton to Auckland, and on rounding a bend saw the motorcycle about 50 yards ahead. The motorevele was on the centre of the strip of concrete on the riders incorrect side, and the motorist swerved to the right to avoid him, but the cyclist veered ft) his left, so that the collision occurred. The impact was about ;i() yards from the point that the motorist first saw the cycle, and the car stopped 03 feet from the point, of impact. Constable McGuiro said that Pile appeared in the Magistrate s Court at Otahuhu on January 17, charged with negligent driving, and negligently driving and thereby causing the death of Kiinber, but both charges were dismissed. To Air. Elliott Constable McGuiro said ho had been unable to find why the brakes of the car had not worked properly. The driver was unable to use the hand brake as his right arm was paralysed. Air. Tompkins: He can steady things with it. Comment by Coroner The Coroner: I do not think he should have a licence with the traffic on the road, at the present time.

Mr. Tompkins, explaining why Pile was not present, said ho had understood it was unnecessary for him to attend. In any case there was a substantial claim pending, and Mr. Tompkins did not .think it fair for him to be cross-examined. "The dismissal of a criminal ease is no bar to further proceedings," said the coroner. s 'lt puts the coroner in a very awkward position. He Wants to find the cause of death, but does not want to be making inquiries for one side or the other." A verdict was given that the deceased died at Wiri from injuries received when his motor-cycle collided with a ear, on September 5. "1 make no comment as to whether there was negligence or not," added the coroner, ''but it turns out that the driver of the ear luts an unfortunate disability, and I think the licensing authorities should give special attention to men with such disabilities."