New Drunken Driving Law Proposed

Press, Volume C, Issue 29505, 5 May 1961, Page 10

New Drunken Driving Law Proposed

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 4. Local Road Safety Committees and other interested organisations will be asked for their views on the Transport Department’s proposal to repeal section 40a of the Transport Act relating to intoxicated - in - charge offences. This was agreed at today’s half-yearly meeting of the New Zealand Road SafetyCouncil. It was decided that views received would be considered at the council’s next meeting. The proposal to amend the law would provide only one offence, namely: “Every person commits an offence who. while under the influence of drink or a drug to such an extent as to be Incapable of having proper control of the vehicle, drives or attempts to drive anv motor-vehicle on any road.” The meeting also decided

to seek the views of interested bodies on the proposed extended powers of arrest in cases of reckless driving. These views would be considered by the council. Some speakers said that to allow an intoxicated driver to surrender his ignition key, and thus free himself of any "in charge” responsibility, was not helping to lessen the serious problem of drunken driving. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, said that to alter the law would bring it back to the position in 1953, and would be a retrograde step. He felt the law was working “quite well" in New Zealand, and also in the United Kingdom and some Australian States. After discussion, it. was agreed that views on the proposal be sought, it being emphasised that the council had not endorsed the proposal. but was merely seeking recommendations.