MOTOR REGULATIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20270, 12 August 1937, Page 15

MOTOR REGULATIONS.

PARKING OF OARB. A VITAL OMISSION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Wednesday. In a reserved judgment given to-day Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., referred to the omission from the new traffic regulations of a former provision concerning the parking of motor cars. Joseph Howard, a young man, was charged with driving a car on a road without care and attention. Howard left his car parked on an angle in Wellesley Street while he visited the post office. After he had been away some minutes the car ran backwards downhill to the footpath at the corner of Lome Street and broke a large plate glass shop window. At the hearing the police said that •under the former Act provision was made for such a case, but under the new regulations no such provision was included. A similar prosecution, however, had been successful in Wellington. Counsel submitted, ihat Howard had not offended against the existing regulations. Mr McKean, in his Judgment, said the former regulations contained the provision that a car, if on a grade, should be placed in such a position that, if set in motion when not under control it would run into and remain against the kerb. The earlier regulations were revoked, said Mr McKean, and for such a prosecution to succeed it must be established that the person charged was at the time in actual physical control of the vehicle and directing and regulating its movements. “I think it regrettable,” the magistrate added, “that the provision relating to leaving a car on a slope has been omitted from the existing regulations. I am of the opinion that defendant cannot be convicted of the offence with which he is charged.” The information was dismissed.