DANGEROUS DRIVER

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21228, 26 September 1940, Page 2

DANGEROUS DRIVER

AUCKLAND BUSMAN PINED VICTORIA STREET ACCIDENT A fine of £2 and costs and the endorsement of his driver's license was the penalty imposed on an Auckland bus driver, Michael Roy Davies (Mr A. L. Tompkins) when he appeared before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today on a charge of driving dangerously in Victoria Street, Hamilton, on July 13. Davies pleaded not guilty to the charge. Sergeant D. Austin said that when he was walking along Victoria Street on the afternoon of July 13 he saw Davies' vehicle travelling in a southerly direction at about 35 or 40 miles an hour. The car overtook a number of vehicles and its conduct was such that witness stepped ofT the footpath to watch its progress. It passed over a pedestrian crossing without slackening speed and went as far as the Waikato Times office, where it collided with a boy on a cycle. When questioned Davies denied that he exceeded the 30-mile-an-hour limit, but he also said that he was in a hurry to get to a wedding breakfast. Delivery Boy’s Evidence A paper delivery boy, Colin Christie, said he had just come out of the Waikato Times right-of-way with his papers on his cycle when the accident happened. He saw defendant’s car approach, and realising that he would not be able to cross the road in time he turned back toward the kerb to avoid the car. It was then the impact occurred. If the car had been travelling at a reasonable speed the accident would not have happened. Stranger to Town Mr Tompkins said that after attending a wedding breakfast Davies was going south along Victoria Street, but was not travelling at an excessive speed. The road was clear as far as he could see, and being a stranger to the town he did not know of the existence of the right-of-way. The Magistrate: All the more reason why he should drive carefully. When Davies saw the boy, continued Mr Tompkins, he pulled up immediately and only just touched the cycle. The boy was not even knocked from his machine and was not injured. Evidence on these lines was given by Davies. “If defendant had been driving carefully he could have avoided the accident by turning slightly to the right,” said the magistrate. “I am satisfied that he was driving in a manner dangerous to the public. He seems to be a cocky individual who thinks he can do no wrong.”