SPEEDING PREVALENT

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1947, Page 4

SPEEDING PREVALENT

Borough Councii Suggests Heavier Fines The prevalence qf mqtorists speeding through the borough came in for considerable discussion at a meeting of the Levin Borough Qquncil qn MQhday night,. It was felt that "when offenders were prosecuted the fines should be very much heavier than - those imposed ac present. The 'Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekir / who raised the matter, said thais cases of excessive speed through the borough and its anvirons were . oecoming too prevalent, The trouble was not peculiar to Levin alone. After almost every weekend qqe read of serious accidents, in some instances involving dqaths, The police and traffic inspectors were doing their best, but they could not hqpe to be eveywhere at tlie one time, while it was riot always that they received a" courteous reply from those who were spoken to for their misdemeanours. He did not think the penalties which were being imposed in many cases of excessive speeding were sufficiently high to be a deterrent. If "a safq dbservance on the part of movorists was to be brought about, the fines would need to be stepped up. "Cr. W. Telford endorsed the Mayor's remarks. He said that some motorists travelled through the borough at speeds up to 35 and 40 m,p,h. He wondered whether the speed limit through the borough could not be reduced, say, to 25 m.g.h. The Mayor: It is 12 m.p.h. under our by-laws Cr. V, E, Hudson remarked that there were hundreds of offenders every day, and then those who were caught paid only a nominal penalty. "Whatever the penalty, there will still be offenders," he added. The Mayor suggested that the councjl make representations i through the Municipal Association [to the Minister of Justice tq. have the penalties stepped up. "It is j happening all over the country and . j is a national matter," eommerifed jMr. Burdekin. "After expressing agreement with the suggestion that fines for speeding offences should be heavier, Cr. A, O. Powell pointed out that the councii had no control over traffic, ►but perhaps an attractive notice at leach borough boundary might I assist the position. Cr, F. D. Chariiey drew attention I to the road saf ety campaign which ' Junior Chamb.ers of Commerce i were shorily going to conduct throughout the Dominion, and asked if the councii could do anything in conjunction with the local Junior 'Chamber. The Mayor.'s suggestion . was adopted and a committee comprising the Mayor and Crs. Chainey and Powell was set up to meet the Junior Chamber in regard to the matter.