DRUNKEN MOTORISTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12411, 3 April 1926, Page 18

DRUNKEN MOTORISTS

NEW CLAUSE TO ACT SEVERE PENALTY IN ENGLAND. The passing of a clause in the Criminal Justice Act by which a conviction for being drunk in charge of a motorvehicle is automatically followed by suspension for twelve months of the driving license has given rise to a mass of conflicting opinions. On the one handy it is argued that drunkenness while driving is one of the most dangerous ■ offences against the community, and therefore no punishment can be too severe for the person who wilfully jeopardises lives and limbs. Gn the other, it is pointed out that the monetary penalty for this offence has been increased from 40s to £SO, which in itself is a very heavy one, more particularly when added to the 1 provision that a month’s imprisonment may be given as well. Under the old law, the Bench'had discretion also to suspend the license' for any length of time which seemed reasonable in the circumstances, or even to cancel it altogether. “I find myself in agreement with those who think the law had better have been made differently, and the power to suspend allowed to remain discretionary” (says an English critic). “Fines and imprisonment are sufficiently serious in themselves, and ought to'act as a reasonably good deterrent against the class of offence with which, we are dealing. Added to the power to suspend the license, they seem to be quite powerful enough to meet the most extreme case. Now, in the case of the professional driver, or tbe private individual who uses his car for business or in his profession, and cannot, for one reason or another, employ a driver, the suspension of his license means that the whole or part of his living is suddenly taken away. Granted that it is his own fault; but I think there can 'be no doubt that this aspect will often lead magistrates to be chary of convicting when such conviction - carries the consequences I have noted. Furthermore, the question of whether a person is really drunk to the point which makes him incapable of driving properly is a debatable one, and must give rise to ". ■■■ ' -

more doubt than ever in the magisterial mind. The case seems eminently one in which i the severity of the, penalty, is likely to defeat the object for which it is intended.” ' NEW ROAD SURFACE / ’ 7 RUBBER AND WOOD. Ally road surface tending to minimise the danger of skidding would be welcomed by all road users, and the latest effort to achieve this end is now on trial in the Uxbridge Road. Acton, London. Here an expeiimen-’ tnl stretch of roadway, the surface of which comprises rubber and wood, hns been laid. 1 The paving consists of the standard crcosoted wooden block, in which is cut a truncated triangle shaped groove. The block is thereafter coated with a rubber solution, which closes fclie pores cjf the wood without affecting its springiness. Specially prepared rubber perforated through its centre in order to affoi d the desired resilience is inserted in tho groove, and lias a crown above the surface of the wood face. The rubber is fitted in the blocks in alternate manner, ■ one block with a groove through its central lengtn, and the other grooved diagonally across its face. ' This method of laying ensures a continuous and evenbearing face, while, at the same time, giving it a tessellated appearance, It will be. spen, therefore, that the weight of any Vehicle rests on the rubber cushion. - The rubber is stated to be impervious to varying weather conditions, oil, and petrol. Impregnation of the block with rubber solution prevents absorption of moisture; thus, there is no danger of swelling, causing an upheaval of the surface, as with ordinary creosoted blocks. The present exooi iwental stretch is carrying on, an average of 283,000 tons every lour weeks. Alwavs tighten the foot-brakes bv the adjusting nut on the brake band, not by t.ho brake rods. The reason for this is, that bv making adjustments at the bands, the position 'of the brake lever is kept at the proper angle to give the proper leverage. 1