INTOXICATED DRIVERS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22504, 12 September 1938, Page 10

INTOXICATED DRIVERS

STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT

“PREPARED TO GO THE DIZZY LIMIT” "I am prepared to go the dizzy limit to get those people oft the highways,” said the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), when emphasising in an interview on Saturday his determination to deal with the problem of intoxicated drivers. The Minister said there were far too many cases of drunken drivers. The magistrates were dealing with them and were not showing very much mercy, which was perfectly right; but if the law as it stood was not severe enough to stop those people, then it would be tightened up. for they had to get off the highways. “I have been thinking seriously of copying the American system of forcing drivers to put a term of imprisonment in during the week-ends, so that their incomes will not be cut off. with a consequent punishment for their wives and kiddies. We do not want to visit the sins of the fathers on the wives and youngsters. I think the American law is right.” Mr Semple paid a tribute to the magistrates of the Dominion for the work they were doing in administering the highway laws in the proper spirit. He said that the work of the magistrates in the Courts had had a wonderful effect in the road safety campaign. Talking of the traffic inspectors, the Minister claimed that they were fulfilling their mission—to play the part of teachers, advisers, and instructors.

“On the law of averages we have kept more than 100 people out of their coffins during the last two years.” the Minister said. “We have had comment' from the press in the Old Country, Canada, America, and Australia pointing to the tremendous reduction in fatalities on the roads in New Zealand, and using the Dominion’s success to inspire their own people to do likewise. “For instance, our death rate is 8.8 per 10.000, the lowest in the world, while sister states in Australia have a figure of 16.6, double our rate. The country with the highest mortality in the world is Italy, with 56 per 10,000. So we have accomplished something on the roads.”