DRUNKEN DRIVER CONDEMNED

Southland Times, Issue 23781, 31 March 1939, Page 7

DRUNKEN DRIVER CONDEMNED

ELIMINATION SOUGHT BY MR SEMPLE WEEK-END IMPRISONMENT IMPRACTICABLE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 30. The absolute determination of the Government that drunken drivers had to be put off the roads and kept off was expressed by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) at a meeting of the Road Safety Council today. Following the good results of the “Safety Week” campaign, there had been a bad slipping into the worst period on record of 23 deaths in one month, said the Minister. Drunken drivers contributed heavily to that total for one in five was due directly to drink, and one in three was a night fatality. The Minister’ said that week-end gaol was found impracticable because of insufficient lock-up accommodation, in certain districts. Mi- D. J. Cummings, Commissioner of Police, moved that a law be drafted making it an offence for any driver to take liquor in any quantity and any person to supply liquor to a person in charge. While members all agreed that drastic steps were essential, the proposal was thought too far-reaching to be discussed on the moment and a committee was appointed to report at the next meeting. Other suggestions were made that on conviction licences should be cancelled automatically for a minimum, of two years and on the second conviction a minimum of 10 years. The Minister said that the circumstances of certain of the more recent drunken driver tragedies were shocking and terrible facts were not made public to spare the shame of relations and dependents.