INTOXICATED DRIVERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 113, 16 May 1939, Page 8

INTOXICATED DRIVERS

NUMBERS NOT DECLINING HEAVIER PENALTIES HAVE LITTLE EFFECT AUCKLAND’S RECORD [ Per Preen Association. 1 AUCKLAND, May 15. An intoxicated motorist has*been convicted in Auckland and suburban Magistrate’s Courts on an average of once in every four days since the beginning of the year. In the city and province, including the Gisborne district, convictions for the same offence have been obtained on an average of once in every 1.88 days during the same period. In spite of Ministerial pronouncements and constant warnings from the Bench there appears to be little diminution in the offence of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor vehicle. On four successive days last week a motorist was found guilty in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court. Heavier penalties have apparently had little effect. During the trial of a third offender in Auckland several days ago it was revealed that he was punished in 1923 with a£s fine. Now a convicted motorist is lucky to escape a term of imprisonment, particularly if he is dealt with by a metropolitan magistrate. There has been one fine of £5 in the Auckland district since January 1 for an offence on a remote country read, bu f , where fines have been imposed, they have generally been about £2O and have ranged up to £5O. Total convictions in Auckland city and suburban courts since the beginning of the year have been 33. Of these, 19 offenders have been sent to prison for periods ranging from a week to a month. In the remainder of the provincial districts there have been 38 convictions, nine persons being sent to prison for terms of a week to a month. In all cases driving licences have been cancelled and renewals have been prohibited for periods up to three years. For the combined metropolitan and country districts tines inflicted havi totalled nearly £750 since January 1. In the case of those sent to prison, sentences have aggregated approximately 65 weeks.