INTOXICATED MOTORISTS

Evening Star, Issue 22143, 25 September 1935, Page 3

INTOXICATED MOTORISTS

SENTENCES TOt LIGHT MR A. E. ANSELL'S COMMENTARY Criticism of the lack of uniformity and severity in the penalties inflicted on motorists ; convicted of . being intoxicated while in charge , ot vehicles was made by Mr A. E. Ansell, M.P., at the annual meeting last night of the Automobile Association (Otago). Mr Ansell said that the associations were to be congratulated on any campaign to engender a greater sense of responsibility in road users. They had seen .wonderful strides in the growth of motor transport, and with the improvements being made in roads and cars it was reasonable to expect a very much greater increase in the near future. Consequently, there was a duty on the motor associations in particular to educate the phblic to a sense of responsibility. Much could still be done in educating the motorists. The class of motorist, termed the intoxicated . motorist, should receive his education behind prison bars. If he had his way ho would deal with that class of offender more severely than he was being punshed to-day. They were a positive danger on the road; (“ Hear, hear.”) The legislation should be even still stricter in regard to them. In the matter of sentences-and penalties there was a lack of uniformity throughout New Zealand. It might be said that there were varying degrees of guilt, but he was astonished to see the variety of penalties inflicted. A woman motorist who had pleaded guilty to the charge had had her name suppressed. He considered that the magistrate’s action was very wrongful. The publication of the name was part of the punishment, and he failed to see the justification for suppression in such cases. He also considered that there should be more uniformity in the penalties. Rightly a great deal of discretion was left to the magistrates, but there was a great deal left to be desired in stamping out undoubtedly a danger on the road. Mr P. W. Breen fully endorsed Mr Ansell’s remarks, and he declared that no motorist who took drink when going on the road was entitled to any sympathy.