IN COMMITTEE

Southland Times, Issue 20617, 16 October 1928, Page 7

IN COMMITTEE

“SPEEDING” CASES DISMISSED. NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. Some weeks age, a case generally deemed to be a test case on the legally safe speed limit on the North Road, was heard by Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M. A motorist was charged with driving at a speed dangerous to the public; his defence consisted of demonstrations whereby it was proved that certain cars driven by a skilful driver could stop, from a speed of 30 miles per hour, in 15 feet. The Magistrate, however, held that because some could do that, there was no reason why any other motorist could travel at that speed, and that there could never be one law for the rich man’s car and one for the poor man’s. Mr F. G. Hall-Jones wrote to the Motor Association asking for. its opinion on the matter. His letter which was read at last night’s meeting of the Southland Motor Association, was in the following terms:— “You will no doubt have observed in the Press the decision of the magistrate in the ‘dangerous driving’ cases on the North Road. A great number of motorists, whose opinion must be respected, consider that it is unreasonable for the police to prosecute for driving in a manner dangerous to the public simply because the speed exceeds 25 miles per hour and that such action is an undue interference with the rights of the motoring public. It is felt that the speeds fixed for certain intersections were intended by the legislature to be of use only as evidence of dangerous driving in cases where an accident occurred. The interpretation of the police and of the magistrate, is entirely different, and I think that the matter should be brought before the Supreme Court by way of appeal. In the matter of appeal, I should be obliged if your association would let me know; (a) if your association will support or conduct an appeal against one of the convictions as a tost case and (b) if your association agrees with the view that the driver of a car with hydraulic four-wheel brakes should be treated in the same way as the driver of a car with brakes of minimum efficiency. I may safely say that a large number of your members would like to have the principles as to dangerous driving satisfactorily decided by a Judre of the Supreme Court. In the event of an appeal I am agreeable, if you think fit, that same be conducted by your association’s solicitor, and I shall be glad to co-operate with him without fee. I would mention that I approached your emergency committee for evidence in one of the cases, but the committee decided that it was inadvisable to take any action as my client was supposed to have been ‘hogging’ it, and you had previously asked that speeding on the North Road be put down. As a matter of fact his speed was estimated bv the inspector and two constables at 30 miles per hour and his own figure was 27 miles per hour which motorists would consider quite reasonable in the circumstances.” On the motion of Mr J. It Haigh. the meeting went into committee * and it wm finally decided that the association would take no steps in the matter.