“HE IS A KILLER"

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 7, 1 August 1948, Page 6

“HE IS A KILLER"

from Mrs. D«y, Wanganui East “He is a killer.” said Commissioner of Transport. Mr. G. L. Laurenson. when addressing the Road Safety Council. “We have got to be ruthless with the drunken driver” was hiopinion. Rut how ? Simply by can celling his licence? By fining him £10? By sending him to gaol for a month after several offences? None of these steps is enough to prevent killers of this kind pursuing their evil courses. Only a long term of imprisonment will act as a deterrent to diunken drivers: that is proved b\ their persistent existence over several decade*. It used to be fashionable to emphasise the fact that the drunkard had lost his sense of self criticism Now that is disposed of as “preaching,” which is, of course, a very improper occupation at any time. It is,

nevertheless, still a sound principle that he who gets drunk does so to his own peri! and must pay for Ins remissness when he is sober. "1 he popular excuse is invalid that a drunkard or partially inebriated man never intended to do the harm that he accomplishes. It is nevertheless still advanced in extenuation of the evil accomplished. Too often attention is concentrated upon the wrongdoer: the victim is -forgotten. It is claimed when suppression of publication of names is requested that the accused will lose his employment or wiP be deprived of the use of his car which will reduce his ability to cam his living. These are matters which responsible people think of before they indulge themselves and irresponsible people will only be deterred from their reinissncss by having severe penalties imposed upon them. The time has already arrived when the responsibilities of road users to themselves, to the passengers and to others must he recognised in their fullness and treated with the seriousness which they merit. The Commissioner of Transport deserves to be supported in his desire to make the roads safe for everyone.