COLLISION AT BUSY CORNER

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1930, Page 9

COLLISION AT BUSY CORNER

PROSECUTION OF DRIVER. AN INFORMATION DISMISSED. As the outcome of a collision between ears driven by Archdeacon F. G. Evans, New Plymouth, and Percival W. Lamb, llawcra, a charge brought against Lamb of driving in a manner that might, have been dangerous to the public was heard before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., in the New Plymouth Police Court yesterday. The information was dismissed. The collision occurred on May 19 at the intersection of Devon and Liardet Streets. Mr. A. K. North appeared for the defendant and Senior-Sergeant McCrorie conducted the prosecution. Archdeacon Evans stated that he was driving his car along Devon Street towards Fitzroy. Approaching the intersection to Liardet Street he was in second gear, and not exceeding 10 miles an hour. He had crossed the beginning of the intersection about six or seven feet when his wife called out to him that another car was coming into his car. He turned instantly to the left. The other car was not in the intersection when he himself drove in, so he judged that its speed would be about 15 miles an hour. Lamb's car. had struck his car a glancing blow. To Mr. North: He had not scon the other car coming until the collision was imminent because he had not looked up Liardet Street. He had not been engrossed in conversation at the time of the accident.

Hector Dempsey, retired school inspector, who was travelling in the front seat with the Archdeacon, said the speed of the Archdeacon’s car was between 10 and 15 miles an hour. The speed of Lamb’s car he estiriiated at about 30 miles an hour. The cause of the accident was undoubtedly the speed of (he other car. To Mr. North: He was not talking to the Archdeacon at the time of the accident.

Percival Webster Lamb, late manager of the Hawera Electric Company, said he stopped a short time before turning into Liardet Street to let out two passengers. He had entered Liardet Street, which was clear, and gone towards the intersection very slowly. He saw the other car coming up, and the driver had his head turned towards his companion. He had expected the other car to give way, but as it did not he de-clutched and braked. The Archdeacon's car struck him a slight blow on the mudguard. His own car was travelling at 10 miles an hour. He had sounded his horn three times.

“The charge of dangerous driving is a serious matter,” ’said the magistrate, “and consequently has to be proved beyond all doubt. What strikes me is this. The evidence I have heard regarding the right-hand rule shows a misconception. A driver entering an intersection must look to see if there is any traffic coming both from his right, his left, or straight ahead. At the same time, the man entering the intersection on the other driver's right is not absolved from taking care. If he enters the intersection negligently or too fast he may be held responsible for the accident. In this case it has not been established that defendant was entering the intersection at too lijgh a rate of speed.