FAST DRIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1920, Page 6

FAST DRIVING.

MOTORISTS BEFORE COURT. A number of informations for "speeding", were before the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday. A fine of £5 and costs was imposed on Richard Hegarty, of Patea, on a charge of driving a motor car at an excessive speed. Inspector Day said defendant's speed averaged 35 miles per hour. For riding a motor cycle at an excessive speed in Devon Street, Thomas Sneller, of Inglewood, was fined £5 and costs 7s. "FASTER THAN WAS SAFE." On the information of Inspector Tippins, Roy Inder was charged with driving a motor car on the Main South Road at a speed dangerous to the public. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Quilliam said the evidence would describe one of the most serious offences of the kind. Defendant was employed by/ Newton King, Ltd. On the day jn question, shortly before coming to Timaru Hill, defendant was noticed by the driver of the steam roller coming at a furious rate, and he warned the workmen on the road. An acciden| was just avoided at this point, and further on there were two other narrow escapes from collision with motor lorries. J. A. Stringer, driver of the ■ County motor roller, estimated the speed of the car at forty miles per hour. Other evidence was given by Thomas Sefton and F. C. Anstis, and Roy Hooker (the last two motor lorry drivers). For the defence it was contended that the pace • was reasonable. There was also some question of the identification of the car. In his evidence, defendant said his driving had never been questioned before. Other evidence was given by W. H. Silver, J. B. Groom, H. Stonex, J. H. Street and S. W. Shaw. His Worship held that the identification of the car had been established. On the question of the speed, there seemed to be some difference. For the informant it was stated as forty miles per hour, but he did not think it was as much as that; it seemed, however, that the pace was unnecessarily fastfaster than was safe. It was' a very dangerous road. A good many cars travelled faster than was compatible with safety, and the fact that there were no accidents in a good many cases was due to good driving. These drivers, however, might meet others who were not so efficient, resulting in trouble. A fine of £2 was imposed. Costs and witnesses expenses amounted to £6 9s. THREE CHARGES. There were three informations against Owen Lewis: the, first was for riding a motor cycle in Goyer Street at a speed greater than was reasonable; secondly, riding a motor cycle in Devon Street at more than twenty miles, per hour; thirdly, going round the corner of Devon and Cover Streets at more than six miles per hour. He pleaded not guilty. Inspector Day characterised this as an instance of the most furious and careless riding he had encountered. He said defendant, who had a young lady on the back of the cycle, raced another motorist along Devon Street from the Post Office into Gover Street-anti down Courtenay Street. Evidence was given by John W. Boon in support of the information. Defendant admitted being fined £2 in October last for a similar offence. His Worship said defendant evidently would not heed the warnings given, and he was now faced with three separate charges. The fast travelling round the corneg was the most serious, especially as he was on the wrong side. For this offence he would be fined £5, and on each of the others £l. Costs amounted to £1 3s. f -> == •