CARE ON ROADS

Southland Times, Issue 22956, 31 July 1936, Page 3

CARE ON ROADS

Effect Of Juries’ Decisions (United Press Association.) Christchurch, July 30. I “The standard of care exercized by the users of the roads is determined by the conduct of the juries in cases like these,” said Mr Justice Northcroft in the Supreme Court to-day in summing up the evidence on a charge against Jack Raistrick, aged 21, a printer, of negligently driving a motor cycle in Ferry Road on Maj' 17, and causing the death of Mrs Helen Berry Adam. Raistrick was found not guilty. His Honour emphasized that, because of the prevailing anxiety about the number of deaths in road accidents, juries should not look for scapegoats. He also warned the jury against misplaced sympathy with the accused. It was proper to bea’’ in mind that some at least of the Crown witnesses were labouring under a sense of indignation, and an inflamatory state of mind was not helpful to fair and accurate judgment. Mrs Adam was struck by the motor cycle as she was crossing the road. The motor cycle then swerved and struck a light pole. A Crown witness estimated its speed at up to 60 miles an hour. Witnesses for the defence estimated it from 25 to 30 miles an hour. One Crown witness, a mechanic, said that the damage to the cycle was not consistent with it having struck the pole at a high speed.