MOTOR FATALITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1939, Page 2

MOTOR FATALITY

RIGHTS OF PEDESTRIANS. NEGLIGENT DRIVING (By Telegraph—Press Association." l CHRISTCHURCH. October 18. William Robert Conner was found' guilty by a jury in the Supreme Court of negligently driving a motor-car in Worcester Street on the evening of June 16, thereby causing the death of William Frederick Soper. Prisoner was remanded for sentence till today. Summing up Mr Justice Northcroft referring to a comparatively recent development in . traffic control —the pedestrian crossing. This had become necessary because of the extraordinary danger to pedestrians in crossing roads used by busy traffic. The special regulation was designed to give complete immunity to the pedestrian, and required the motorist, not only to give way, but to handle his vehicle in a manner as to be able to stop before reaching the crossing if necessary. Accused in his statement said he sounded his warning device, but the .pedestrian continued as though he had not heard it. The inference of th?t statement was that the pedestrian failed to get out of the motorist’s way, and his Honour suggested that this might provide an insight to the mentality of the driver. “It is highly indecent, not to say impudent. for a motorist approaching a pedestrian crossing to take that view,” said Mr Justice Northcroft. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty after a retirement of two hours 10 minutes.