THE EXCUSES THEY OFFER

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 6, 26 January 1971, Page 10

THE EXCUSES THEY OFFER

Traffic officers of the Ministry of Transport are concerned at the particularly foolish behaviour of a few road users. They reported the following instances during the Christmas-New Year holiday period last year: — ■ "There was a domestic argument — so I stepped out of the (moving) car and received minor head injuries." * Intoxicated hitch-hikers in dark clothes (at night). ■ 90 m.p.h. on highways; 73 m.p.h. in built up areas. The excuse offered by one driver, checked at 80 m.p.h., was that he was chasing a ( pheasant. * Motorists who drove past an injured person lying on the road and left him without assistance. ■ Too many drivers who had not checked water oil, petrol, etc, before they set out, and consequently broke down en route.

* Cnild who received a deep cut in the neck when a venetian blind was dislodged in a minor accident. ■ Windscreens dirtied with dust and moths. * Children playing on the road caused an accident when their ball hit the windscreen of a passing vehicle. ■ Car with young boys riding on the bootlid. * A youth riding a surfboard on the roof rack while the driver of the car swerved violently in an effort to dislodge him. ■ A driver who threw a bottle which hit a bridge and shattered over a following car. - * Two cars abreast with passengers in both cars sitting on window ledges legs inside, bodies outside. * A party of young people driving with doors open — "Too hot with doors closed." * Speeding — "To keep car cool." ■ Two cars rujining abreast — bottles being passed from one car to the other.