SPEED OF MOTOR CARS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 61

SPEED OF MOTOR CARS.

B. Acton Adams, for whom 5L- A. C. Hanlon appeared, was charged on two informations at the Polioo Court on Monday with driving a motor car in Princes and George streets on the 18th September at a speed dangerous to the public. Percy Ashton Elworthy was similarly charged. and both cases were taken together. Richard Spence, carter, stated that on the date mentioned he saw two motor cars going along the street at a speed of 20 to 25 miles an hour. The speed at which the cars were being driven was far too fast for public safety, and witness's horse took fright. — Under cross-examination by Mr Hanlon, who stated that the street tramcars run 16 miles per hour between the blocks, -witness 6aid the motor cars, were travelling at four time 3 the speed of a tramcar. In explanation of his opinion of how fast vehicles travel, -witness said he estimated the 6peed of street cars at six miles per hour — an estimate of speed which created some amusement. Dr Stanley Batchelor eaid he saw nothing particular about the speed at which" the motor cars were travelling;' but he observed that the drivers were making considerable Eofeo by blowing their horns. Having re» gard to the condition of the traffio in the street, he saw no danger to the public from the speed at which the caTs were driven. Constable M'Cullough stated that at about; 6 p.m. he saw two motor cars at Frederick street. The drivers were continually blow 1 * ing their horns, and when they passed wlt-

ness at Hanover street they were going at the rat© of 25 miles an hour? " The speed wa3 dangerous to the public, and the drivers did not lessen speed a<t the intersections of streets, a3 required by law. "Witness ha-d not teen motor cars travelling at co high a speed in the streets before. Therewere a few vehicles in the street at the time. Mr Adams admitted to witness afterwards that he was driving at a faster epeed than usual. Constable Starrctt gajje similar evidence, and Cc-nsvab-le Packer also deposed as to the ra*o of speed*. a$ tfhichthemotois were trave'lijif, 1 Mr Hanlon submitted that the case should he dismissed, as nothing had been proved to shew that the speed was dangerous or furious. The only witness who knew anything about motor cars, I>r Stanley Batchelor, had stated that h«? did not consider the. speed was dangerous. Mr Adams would state that not more than 15 miles an hour was being driven, and both defendants were prepared to admit that speed. A motor car driver had gieat control over the action of his car, and 6uch ca-rs as were driven by Messrs Adams and Elworthv could be pulled up within their own length. Fifteen miles an hour, he submitted, was not a dangerous "speed where there was so much control over a machine. R. Acton Adams said he was proceeding to Wimpenny Brothers' garage, and waa going at the rate of 15 miles an hotir. Ho went a little faster than usual because he wished to get to the garage before dark, as he had r.o lamps. He was a careful driver, and had had eight years' experience as a driver of a motor. A man with a £1000 car could not afford to " play the fool " by driving at a great pace. Twenty miles an hour wa3 a perfectly safe speed at which to drive his car through Dunedin streets., A car could be pulled up in its own length, or it could be swerved to on© side. — To Subinspector Norwood : His usual epeed was 12 to 14- miles per hour through the streets. He might have been driving at a little faster speed' than usuaj on the night in question, and was probahty going at a speed of about 15 miles' per hour. Georgo Sievwright gave evidence, in which ho stated that Mr Acton Adams was one of the most careful drivers of motor cars in Dunedin. _He thought 15 miles an hour was not a dangerous speed to go through the streets of Dunedin at. At this etage the case was adjourned till 10.15 sum. the following day. to allow of the evidence of Percy Ashton El worthy, the other defendant in the charge, being taken.