DIFFICULT QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 56, 30 November 1926, Page 6

DIFFICULT QUESTION

DEGREE OF MOTORIST'S INTOXICATION GUILTY IF DANGEROUS Dominion Special. Palmerston North, November 29. “It is difficult to know if a motorist is sufficiently under the influence of liquor to come within the scope of the Act,” said Mr. J.’ L. Stout, ,5.M... in the Magistrate’s Court this morning “The section makes no definition, but the question is whether a man is su®' cientlv affected by liquor as to be dangerous on the road, whether he be hopelessly incapable or not. It does not mean_that a man is to be helplessIv drunk. That seems to me to have been overlooked in some of these cases.” 1

The case before- the Court was one wherein David West, mechanical engineer, of Palmerston North, was charged with driving a motor-car on the Whakarongo road on November -0 while in a state of intoxication. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Senior Sergeant O’Gradv stated that one Macintosh, a taxi driver, was proceeding to Dannevirke on the night of the incident, when defendant approached in his car on his wrong side of the road, and a collision occurred Defendant was allegedly under the influence of liquor at that time. He had given no information to the police. , Defendant, for whom Mr Merton appeared. denied that he had been intoxicated. and was supported' by two other Witnesses. Defendant said he had been Winded by the lights of the oncoming car. After hearing the evidence, Mr. Stoat said that defendant seemed to have been under the influence of lintipr to some extent, and imposed a fine of £5, directing also that defendant’s license be cancelled for three months. Counsel pointed out that the suspension of the license would mean that defendant, who nsed a motor in the course of his emnloyment. would have to seek other work. Mr. Sto.it: A man driving on business is iust as dangerous if intoxicated Tn these cases it seems the only wav in which to stop the practice is bv imprisonment. Defendant will have to have his license suspended.