MOTORIST GUILTY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20072, 19 October 1939, Page 10

MOTORIST GUILTY

NEGLIGENCE CHARGE PEDESTRIAN’S DEATH COMMENT BY JUDGE (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. William Robert Conner was found guilty by a jury in the Supreme Court yesterday of negligently driving a motor-car in Worcester street on the evening of June 1(1 and thereby causing the death of William Frederick Soper. The prisoner was remanded for sentence until to-day. Summing up, Mr. Justice Northcroft referred to the comparatively recent development in traffic control, —the pedestrian crossing. This had become necessary owing to the extraordinary danger to pedestrians in crossing roads used by busy traffic. A special regulation was designed to give complete immunity to a pedestrian and required the motorist not only to give way but to handle has vehicle in such a manner as to be able to slop before reaching a crossing if necessary. “Highly Indecent”

The accused, in his statement, said he sounded his warning device, said His Honour, but the pedestrian continued as though he had not heard it. The inference of that statement was that the pedestrian failed to get out of (he motorist’s way, and His Honour suggested this might provide an insight to the mentality of the driver. “It is highly indecent, not to say impudent, for motorists approaching a pedestrian crossing to take that view,” said His Honour.

The jury brought in a verdict of guilty after a retirement of two hours 10 minutes.