MOTORING AND ALCOHOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21024, 13 May 1930, Page 11

MOTORING AND ALCOHOL.

FOURTH KIND OF DRUNKENNESS. (From Orm Owif Ooukspobdkkt.) t «. J x x 'LONDON, April 4. In the debate on the Road Traffic Bill in the Commons Mr G. H. Oliver made a, plea for drivers suffering from “ the fourth kind of drunkenness.” “It was Charles Dickens, I believe,’? he declared, "who said there were three kinds of drunkenness—amorous, dignified, and quarrelsome.' There is another kind, and the action of' the man who suffers from it is in many coses commendable; Those who have driven much on the road know the sleepiness which overcomes one when there is, no question of intoxicating liquor.” Amid cries of "Shame!” Mr Oliver continued: “I have known. drivers who have had only one glass of beer, and in consequence of the amount of fresh air they had—” Mr Oliver got no further. His speech was interrupted by loud laughter from both sides. “ There is an intoxication in fresh air ” he added. *' Overpowering sleepiness over-, comes one when there is no question of drink.” , ■ . When the committee was discussing’ clause 15, which provides for the punishment of persons driving, or in charge of, - a motor vehicle when under the influence of drink, Lord Erskine moved the omission of-the words “when in charge of”: He quoted the cose of a motorist who, • after a farmers' dinner, was not quite ire a condition to drive his car, and came to the conclusion that he would not drive. He parked the car and went to sleep inside. He was charged by a constable with being drunk while in charge-of a motor car, and was convicted. Surely that was not right? ■ Sir James Melville (Solicitor-general) ’mpathised wife the unhealthy state of the mind o£ the noble lord’s, friend. But that did not affect the point that so long as a man was responsible for a ear he ought to be amenable to the law.