NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1938, Page 9

NEGLIGENT DRIVING

TAUHERENIKAU FATALITY. ACCUSED SENT TO GAOL. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 19. Sentence of six months’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed by Mr Justice Reed in the Supreme Court at Wellington today on William Robert Thomson, lorry-driver, aged 48, who had been found guilty on a charge of having negligently driven a motor-truck at Tauherenikau, thereby causing the death of a passenger. Thomson was also prohibited from obtaining a driver’s licence for three years.

Mr J. B. Aimers, who appeared for Thomson, said that prisoner had the knowledge that his negligence had caused the death of an old friend. It was not a case of gross negligence deserving severe punishment. The medical evidence showed that Thomson was in a fit condition to drive, and he had not been charged with intoxication. He had a wife and family of three, two of whom were dependent upon him.

His Honour said he looked upon the case as a bad one. It was true that doctors who examined prisoner and put him to various 'tests were of the opinion that he was not in a state of intoxication; consequently he was not charged with driving while in a state of intoxication. But it was perfectly clear to him and must be clear to everyone that prisoner’s judgment was undoubtedly affected by the liquor he had consumed. ,■ “You tell various stories as to what liquor you had,” said his Honour to prisoner, “but it appears you had about six beers. What effect that would have I don’t know. What I do take into consideration is this, that apparently you consider you are justified in driving when more or less affected by liquor.” His Honour quoted from the evidence of prisoner in which he admitted driving after.taking liquor and said that he was then more alert. A motorist who considered he was more alert when he had had a few drinks was a menace to society.