CONTROL OF MOTORING.

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 14

CONTROL OF MOTORING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As a motorist I was interested in the x'eport in your last issue of the annual meeting of the Automobile Association of Otago. After perusal I think the most appropriate translation of A.A, (Otago) would be the Automobile Antagonists Association, for the predominant tenor of the discussions seemed definitely antagonistic to the welfare of the motorist. Mr Ansell would deprive the humble owner of an “ old crock ” of the luxury of coaxing his bus along the highways purely because of its age—ignoring the tact that such old crocks, most of which are entirely trustworthy, represent the slowest propelled passenger carrying vehicles of to-day. A legal man advocated the appointment of more traffic inspectors (presumably resulting in more prosecutions) 1 No mention was made of the expense to the council and to the Highways Board of the present two inspectors, who with their luxury cars and shrieking sirens are making the former joys of motoring a much over-governed and harrassed enterprise to-day. One inspector was involved in a collision last week (previously his car has had more than minor repairs done to it owing to collisions) and the other, the latest possessor of a siren, with such instrument working, traversed Castle street and intersections of it at a tremendous rate of speed at 7.35 p.m. last Monday when no quarry that onlookers could notice was in sight. With a tremendous number of regulations controlling motoring to-day it ■is natural that there are many bylaws broken, but is there always the necessity for an inspector to operate a screaming siren, and to ignore all restrictions himself, in over-taking an offender, when the latter’s car carries ah identification plate and witnesses of the offence are generally available ? In obtaining such “ unnecessary information ” inspectors may easily be guilty of driving in a manner much more calculated to be dangerous to other users of the road, than the offender they are trying to apprehend. During the year the A.A. (Otago), drew attention to the dangerous intersection of George, Pitt, London, and Frederick streets and unsuccessfully attempted to have altered the tram stop there. Yet such A.A. does not contest the by-law which makes it necessary for the motorist facing the intersection in any of these streets, if he wishes to turn round to drive right into such intersection, to perform the turn. In comparison with the apathy shown by the local association in defending motorists I quote certain paragraphs from the English Association’s report:—“The administration of the new speed laws was closely watched by the association. In every case in which a member was concerned the facts were carefully studied, and the strongest defence put forward where the evidence showed that the prosecution was unjustified. It is gratifying to report that in a large number of cases dismissals were obtained.

“ There has been a substantial increase in applications for free legal defence, the bulk of the cases dealt with by the solicitors being technical infringements to which there was no valid defence. On the other hand, in contested cases, i.e., where there was a defence to the charge, the association secured nearly 6,000 dismissals throughout the country.” Can the local association point to any case here in Dunedin, where such assistance has been rendered to prosecuted motorists? ideals of the old Otago Motor Club seem to have gone for ever, and the A.A. (Otago) cannot expect increased membership until a radical change in activity is shown.—l am, etc,, September 26. Ex-O.M.C.

TO THE lOITOB Sir, —Mr Hinton’s remarks regarding the persecution of motorists are by no means exaggerated. The number of prosecutions for dangerous driving at speeds of 30 and 35 miles an hour is apt to make one wonder if the car acquired by the department is to be a new source of' revenue to the city—or perhaps it may be just a new toy. The reason given by a responsible official to an offender is that the Labour Council is “ out ” to enforce the traffic laws. This being correct, and considering that there were no complaints under the last council, the reason looks suspiciously like mild class prejudice. However, 90 per cent, of the cars on the road; are used by employees on their firm’s business and ' business people. Hence the official instructions are politically . unwise, as they become a boomerang which is thrown only, to return and land on the back of the Labour Council’s neck. It would be an interesting experiment to drive the traffic car from Carroll street to Frederick street with due legal regard to intersections. After clearing up the wreck caused by the piling up_ of the rear cars at the first intersection there would be no doubt in, the official’s mind that there is a lot of reason in Mr Hinton’s suggestion that the phraseology of the charge should be altered. The majority of cases brought undef this charge are committed by necessity, not wilfully. But, in case I should appear to be disgruntled, I would point out that the department is to be congratulated upon the acquisition of an officer who can drive a car round Musselburgh Rise corner at 45 miles an hour. The motorr ing public must ever regret that he failed to accept a local socilitor’s challenge do do it again during the court s luncheon adjournment. Undoubtedly the subsequent proceedings would have been instructive. They would certainly have been interesting, and perhaps satisfving. However, it is to be hoped that "the department can retain him, and that Daytona Beach does not call too hard for him to resist. —I am, etc., P. B. Motorist. September 26.