MOTORING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23879, 1 February 1941, Page 11 (Supplement)

MOTORING

B"V FOCiJS Higher Fines for

WARNING GIVEN BY MAGISTRATES

T?OR a long time nmv Wednesday lins been ''motorists' day" in the folic© Court, and in an average week two Courts have been in operation to deal with traffic: offences, lioth before and since the introduction of warrants ot fitness a pood proportion of the cases to come before the magistrates have concerned speeding. Frequently tlio offences have been so serious as to come under the head of dangerous driving, with a correspondingly higher line attached. Now it seems that the Bench has decided to raise what some motorists and cyclists call their "licence fee" ior higher speeds, in an attempt to reduce, the number of offenders. In the Court last week Mr. C. K. Orr Walker, S.M., gave definite warning of a forthcoming increase in fines. During the day he dealt with about 20 cases ol speeding and negligent driving and imposed fines higher than the usual level. 'I be highest fine was one of I's, and this carried with it a cancellation of the oflender's licence for two months. Jn another case, that of a young motor-cyclist with a pillion-rider, who were apparently engaging in a race, the licence was cancelled for one month, in addition to the fine. The sentence will probably have a most salutary effect, not only on the particular oflender, hut also on others ol the same kidney with a like addiction to high speeds. A lactor which probably inlluenced the inagisi irate as much as any other fact was i that the offence was committed on a I Sunday on the Great North Road, one j of the busiest, routes at the week-end. j Of course, the number of fast-driving i motorists and motor-cyclists has been very considerably reduced by petrol rationing. The need to conserve one s supph has severely confined these ebullient spirits within the limits ot the

monthly coupon allowance, with a corresponding drop in average traffic speeds. Evidence of this can he gathered any day around the city, hut particularly on the waterfront road, formerly one of the most popular speedways. However, the speed-fiend is still too prevalent for safety. Traffic officers find that the same three routes —the waterfront, the Great North Road and New North Road —still prove a temptation to the driver who is willing to forgo a lew miles of extra running. Most, nevertheless, will agree with this greater punishment of the offender who mixes carelessness with his Jovo of sensation.