SPEED HAZARDS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1930, Page 9

SPEED HAZARDS

•CHIEF' JUSTICE’S COMMENT.

CROSSING INTERSECTIONS.

Palmerston North, May 7.

“All I can say is I am glad in the interests of the public that other motorists are not of the same opinion,” observed the Chief Justice, Hon. Sir Michael Myers, in the Palmerston North Supreme Conit this morning during the hearing of a charge of negligent driving, resulting in the death of two motor-cyclists. One of the passengers in the car had given evidence that - , knowing what he did, he still thought that 30 miles per hour was a safe speed to cross the intersection where the accident occurred. Witness stated, however, that he thought that if accused had been driving at 15 miles per hour the accident would not have occurred. His Honour said that he would not hold witness bound to his statement that 30 miles per hour was a iafe speed to cross an intersection, but- witness insisted that this was his holiest opinion. His Honour: Well, it is people who hold that sort of idea who cause a great deal of trouble for themselves and for the public generally. “I venture tn say that 60 per cent, of the cars that pass over that intersection do so at 25 miles per hour,” said another witness—service manager for a large motor firm. “I consider that if there is a clear road and the motorist- is quite sure no on. is coming, he is quite justified »n travelling across an intersection at 36 miles per hour—the highways limit,” stated a serviee-car driver. Mr. Brodie (Wanganui): And you can only be quite sure by getting out and looking. His Honour: You can never be quite certain. The time is coming when motorists will find themselves very much restricted —the public won’t stand for the present position.