“BOOZE ARTIST”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21304, 25 March 1939, Page 6

“BOOZE ARTIST”

Potential Murderer Put Off Road At Any Cost By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 24. “The booze artist is a potential murderer and he is going to be put off the road at any cost,” said the Hon. R. Semple to-day when commenting on the first figures fully surveying the influence of liquor as a factor in motor accidents. “In one fatality in every' three happening at night time during the past six months, liquor has been present,” said Mr Semple. “In one in every five fatalities during the period liquor was a factor. Hitherto only the cases in which convictions have been secured were included in the statistics, but a more detailed accident report shows all cases in which liquor had, in the opinion of the police, something to do with an accident, and it reveals the fact that in tire past six months 16 drivers, and six pedestrians were involved in fatal accidents resulting from drink. These figures are liable to be conservative, as particulars for 10 of the fatalities during the period are not yet available. “Ever since I had been Minister of Transport I have followed a policy of persuasion and advice rather than coercion,” said Mr Semple. “I always thought it better to teach rather than force. The efforts made had a great moral effect and there has been a magnificent response. There is, however, one section that has taken no heed and ignores every rule of the road, treating the law with contempt. This type of individual must be singled out for special treatment, and I cannot be blamed if I take drastic action against the irresponsible brute who is menacing the lives of our citizens. There is to be a meeting of the Road Safety Council on March 30, and I propose to discuss this matter with members. Cocktail parties and hip-flasks are responsible for too many of our road tragedies and it is my intention that licensed victuallers be approached in an effort to tighten up observance of the law in the sale of liquor to travelling motorists. The nation can no longer tolerate the individual who regards his driving licence as a licence to kill. Magistrates had been most helpful in dealing with this type of individual and I am most gratef ' to them, but they need wider powers, and the Bill at present being drafted will bring this about.” Mr Semple said that he had done all he could, and felt that he had the cooperation of all decent people in the safety campaign. Even so, the drunken driver was still on the road. He had been much disturbed and horrified by the satisfies now released, and he felt that the community at large was just as determined as he and his officers were to clear the roads of the “booze artist.”