DARING MOTOR DRIVERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 25

DARING MOTOR DRIVERS.

A JUDGE’S COMMENT. AUCKLAND. May 14. When airing evidence in the charge of manslaughter preferred against John Andrew Fox (taxi-driver) yesterday, a witness (W. S. Miller) said that, the drivers of cars often passed within two or three inches of objects ahead of them. He thought this was quite justified, especially when the other vehicle was proceeding in the same direction as the second vehicle. His Honor (Mr Justice Stringer) : “Do .you, as a professional driver, say that it is a proper thing to do?” Witness: “A good driver should be able to do it.” His Honor: “Perhaps he should be able to do it. What we are asking is whether it is a reasonable thing to do.” Witness: “If. both vehicles are going in the same direction it is quite a safe thing.” His Honor: “It is not a safe thing, because we see that, in this instance, it baa killed a man.” Witness: “In this case there was something protruding from the cart which the driver did not see.” His Honor: “Do you think that was careful driving?” Witness: “I admit it was bad judgment, but it happens with every driver every day.” His Honor: “In that case the sooner we hang a few drivers the better.”