CARELESS DRIVERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 8

CARELESS DRIVERS

MAGISTRATE’S TRENCHANT REMARKS MOTOR SALESMAN CHARGED. FINED £5 AND LICENSE CANCELLED. [Special to "Tribune”! Auckland, Dec. 1. “I am going to clear the roads of these careless drivers. This is the type of man who should not be allowed to drive a car. He suggests that pedestrians have no right, to be on the road. It is pretty extraordinary if people have not the right to board a traincar!” These trenchant remarks were made by Mr. F. K- Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, when Herbert Charles Johnson, a young motor salesman and mechanic, was charged with negligent driving in Khyber Pass on October 22. Sergeant Turner said Johnson was endeavouring to pass a traincar which was slowing to a stop when he knocked down Mrs. Agnes Hutchinson, who was walking across the road to board the car. As a result of the accident she) was confined to bed for five days. Johnson contended that his car did not strike the woman but that she slipped on some gravel in stepping back to avoid his motor. He said he was travelling at 20 miles an hour and made three complete swerves to avoid the woman. The defendant held that Mrs. Hutchinson did not look before she stepped out on to the road. Sergeant Turner reminded the Court that Johnson had been convicted and fined a fortnight ago, also for negligent driving. Mr. Hunt said the case was quite clear. It was ridiculous to state that the woman slipped and was not struck by the car. Johnson was convicted and fined £5 and £2 14/- costs and was ordered to pay £lO damages to Mrs, Hutchinson. His license was cancelled for 12 months.