The Hutt News THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1930. MOTOR TRAFFIC and BY-LAW INFRACTIONS.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 49, 15 May 1930, Page 7

The Hutt News THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1930. MOTOR TRAFFIC and BY-LAW INFRACTIONS.

A question which is at present engaging the serious attention of the Borough Officers responsible, is the regulation of the enormous motor traffic which daily, passes through, and in and about the streets of our town arid the sub-

iurbs which have so rapidly sprung up in our midst. To efficiently .control so large a volume of tra- s ffic is a very big task, and would, under existing circumstances, require a far larger staff of officials than the limited -funds at the disposal o£ the 7 Co.uneil would Justify. By the phrase""underexisting circumstances?' we refer to the attitude of mind unfortunately adopted by a seemingly large majority of motor-car, motor-lorry drivers, motor-cyclists, and even in cases motor omnibus drivers. This attitude apparently is to ignore all by-laws, made for the purpose of ensuring public safety, and that each driver should do exactly what seem best in his own eyes, and trust to luck in the matter of being detected in the commission of an offence, the results of which are daily flooding the columns of the newspapers.. The death-roll and the casualty list arising out of.motor traffic in one or other .formulas grown to such appalling proportions that the highest judicial official in the Dominion, the Chief Justice (Sir "Michael Myers), has considered it wise to issue a warning to motorists as to using more, caution, ■"for the public will not stand the increasing toll of accidents for

•ever." And the words of so •eminent a citizen and jurist are-

-entitled > to- the greatest -respect .and earnest consideration. To return to the aspect of the matter locally, we are informed on excellent authority that during a. traffic officer's™'patrol, occupying but a short period, no less than nine offenders against the speed

by-laws were stopped, their names and addresses taken, and warnings issued as to their future rate of driving, while it is not improb-

.able that they may yet have to face a trial at the Magistrate's Court. While the writer has no to being an accurate judge of speed he can testify that

it is no uncommon thing to see^ motor vehicles of all descriptions* crossing the new Hutt bridge at more than double the authorised rate of speed allowed, namely 15 miles an hour! Reeentlyva batcli of cases of infringement of the regulations as to speed was brought - before a bench of' Justices of the f Peace. These gentlemen showed their hindly consideration for the j offenders by inflicting\ fines '

amounting to shillings—a matter of no moment to the owner-driver of a car valued at hundreds of pounds, and absurdly inadequate as a deterrent- Such leniency,

fyowe.ver well intentioned, is mani- : iestly a mistake and calculated to give some.of.-the hot-headed and I impetuous motorists the impres- , sionfhat they can commit a grave offence, and' (to use; the words of ■ .a recently convicted motorist) *' * get out of it for a few bob anyway.' 1 If the wilfully defiant motorist relies on his goodr luck to escape the just .penalty of his la#breaking, and .his luck- fails him, an insignificant fine is no deterrent, and upon the principle that lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place he will almost -certainly repeat his offence. It has been well, if somewhat forcibly, said that the reckless and careless driver of a motor vehicle is a potential murderer, and all too often he, or she, by. defying the laws made to ensure the safety of human life despite the oft repeated assertion "I didn't do it intentionally," "I liad no idea," aiui other futile excuses, such driver has actually proved to be guilty of at least manslaughter. It would be wicked and wrong to yjcp'iemn every motorist for the crinics of a section of their numfccx and we are well aware that a

pr^ponion of drivers are careful aud law abiding, but this section would be the very first to admit that there is a large percentage now driving who show by their behaviour that they are quite unfit to hold drivers' licenses. Yet while the law as to licenses continues in its present state it is yery .difficult to find a remedy. If one licensing officer will not, on the facts known to him, issue a driver's license, another licensing officer careless or indifferent, will do so, and the result has been all too plainly shown by the appalling list of casualties and fa tali* ties, ever increasing year by year, ..This district is fortunate in haying several traffic officers who conduct •their arduous and sometimes most unpleasant duties with efficiency and courtesy. It can hardly be a pleasant task to have to stop a perhaps irritable "and even ferocious driver, take his nameand carliumb'er,'arid"*fep6rii"hirii''for prosecution, and as well conducted motorists never need to be stopped, it necessarily follows .that our officers have only to deal with offenders and they are hardly likely to "throw bouquets" at the officer who has to carry out an unpleasant duty. It will be for them a great and • glorious day when every motorist—not a small percentage as at present—decides that the traffic laws and regulations are made for the general gpod and that for his own safety as well as that of others he must obey the law. Tn the meanwhile it is to be hoped that such salutary sentences will be inflicted by the legal tribunal before which such offenders appear that their conviction will be a real lesson, felt if nowhere else in the breeches pocket. It is very apparent that if a driver can afford to defy the law as to speed and negligent driving he can afford to pay for his fun^ and should be made to do so, not m a paltry few shillings but in a substantial sum, the memory of which may induce more reasonable behaviour in fu-

ture.