TRAFFIC BREACHES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23203, 29 May 1937, Page 28

TRAFFIC BREACHES

ONLY ONE WARNING INCONSIDERATE MOTORISTS AUTOMATIC PROSECUTIONS Steps are to be taken by the Transport Department to make sure that full heed is given by motorists to warnings issued to motorists on the highways. Records will be kejit of all warnings given in connection with motoring offences, and if it is found that a second warning has been issued for the same offence a prosecution will automatically follow. Details of the new plan were given to a New Zealand Herald reporter in an interview by the Minister of Transport, Mr R. Semple. " There are certain motorists who choose to ignore deliberately warnings given to them for their own good and for the safety of other people using the roads," Mr Semple said. " This applies particularly when they are on long country trips. I myself have heard motorists boast that they have received three or four separate warnings for speeding or other offences on a single journey from Auckland to Wellington and that they have escaped prosecution. All I can say is that they will not escape in the future." INSPECTORS' DUTIES The Minister stated that instructions had been issued to all inspectors of the Transport Department that when they had occasion to warn a motorist for a breach of the regulations they were to fill in a form giving the date, place and nature of the offence and were to obtain the motorist's signature showing that a warning had been issued. These forms would be returned to Wellington, where they would be classified, and if a second warning notice appeared under a motorist's name legal proceedings would immediately be instituted. " I have said time and again that I do not want the roads policed by ' pimps,'" Mr ' Semple continued. " We are prepared to play the game by motorists. We do not want their fines; we want their co-operation in promoting safety on the roads. But when we find that a motorist is not playing the game we will go for him with the utmost determination.

"It may happen that a motorist will be stopped by an inspector and warned for speeding or cutting corners. The warning will be issued in terms making it clear to the motorist that he is endangering his own life and the lives of countless others by failing to drive with proper care. ■ REPORT TO MAGISTRATE " Suppose the same moto&ist receives another warning in another district. Within a few days this fact will be disclosed by the records-and then an officer of the Transport Department will be able to lay the full position befofe a magistrate. He would be able to point out that it was a case of a clear warning deliberately ignored and I do not think the offender could expect or would receive lenient treatment from the Bench."

Mr Semple said he was receiving encouraging support from all sections of the public in his campaign for greater safety on the roads. However, there was a section of incompetent or selfish motorists. An endeavour would be made to make the incompetent motorist competent, but the selfish motorist could only be dealt with in one Way. He would have to be taught that it did not pay to flout the law.