A PUBLIC DANGER.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1922, Page 6

A PUBLIC DANGER.

DRIVING WITHOUT LIGHTS. IMPRISONMENT SUGGESTED. Severe comment upon the danger of the practice of driving without lights at night, and its prevalence in Taranaki, was passed :by Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., at the Stratford Court on 'Wednesday, when adjudicating upon a case in which Norman Remnant was charged with driving a gig in Broadway without lights* Sergeant Dale mentioned in connection with such cases the serious accident at Midhirst on Sunday evening. The Magistrate said he desired to say something regarding the matter of lights on vehicles, and he hoped his remarks would have full publicity. It seemed perfectly plain that some people would not light their vehicles, and thereby prevent or minimise the risk pf accident. He referred more particularly to gigs and motor cycles, as he did not find drivers of motor cars such bad offenders. The Court had power to inflict a fine, but it looked as if some people simply set the by-laws at defiance. It was a cause of wonder to him that people should drive without lights. It appeared to him that fines had now ceased to be sufficient in cases of driving without lights, and he believed that representations would be made to the Government to have the law altered providing for a term of imprisonment for such offences. People seemed hardly to realise the great danger which arose from driving without lights, and perhaps if they knew they were liable to imprisonment they might act differently. These remarks were not made with particular reference to the case (before the Court. His Worship said. Remnant was fined 10s, with costs 7s.