LICENCE CANCELLED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26472, 28 May 1947, Page 4

LICENCE CANCELLED

ELDERLY MOTOR DRIVER TOTAL PROHIBITION IMPOSED P.A. WELLINGTON, May 27. “It is not safe for the public or for yourself that you should continue to drive a motor car,” said Mr Justice Cornish in the Supreme Court to-day to James William Martin, company manager, aged 70, who had been convicted of negligent driving causing bodily harm, the outcome of an accident some weeks ago. “ With regret,” said the judge, “ I feel obliged to suspend your licencd for the balance of the period of its currency and to declare that you ■ are permanently disqualified from obtaining a driver’s licence.” His Honor said that Martin was obviously not one of the fortunate few on whom three score years and ten rested lightly. He was satisfied the accident was not attributable to anything apart from Martin’s failure of powers, due to age. If Martin were to continue driving, he might at any time have another accident because of inability to react promptly to the needs of the numerous and varied situations in which a motorist could find himself.