THE DRIVER'S-EYE VIEW. MORE LEGAL ACTION. (See pages 41:10.401.) ,
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On Friday, 25th June, at the Guildhall (South Court), before Alderman Sir Horace Brooks Marshall, William Hoyland appeared to a summons for driving a steam-wagon whilst occupying such a position as prevented him having a full and uninterrupted view of the traffic abreast and on either side. , Police-constable Rawlings deposed that on the morning of the 31st'May he saw Hoyland driving a Garrett steam motor wagon in Mansion House Street. He was sitting astride DTI a seat on the off side of the ivagon, 8 ft. from the front. Witness stopped him and asked him to drive along to the east side of King William Street. He did so, and witness stood en the footway, 18 ft. from the front of the car, when Hoyland, looking round the funnel of the engine, could just see his hand, which he had placed in his :breast Packet. Another constable stood in front of the car-in a line with the near-side wheel, 8 ft. in front; the driver could lust see the top of his helmet. When spoken to, Hoyland said, " If I stand I cannot have complete control over the engine. I have been stopped by the police before."
-I By Mr. Hilbery : The tests were taken while the driver was seated. The steering wheel was on the Off side in a Garrett wagon. The seat was a small one on hinges. Witness understood that the police warnings were as to his driving whilst seated. Mr. Hilbery said this by-law was made for the pur Pose of two things—ensuring that the driver occupied a proper position, and, further, that the vehicle was properly constructed. It was always passible for a driver to occupy an improper position, and he (Mr. Hilbery) contended, and should 'call evidence in support of his contention, that the vehicle was con structed for the driver to stand whilst on duty. The seat was there for the driver to rest whilst waiting for -.loads, or whilst on a stretch of country road where this by-law did not apply. Had the seat been constructed for him to drive seated, the seat would have been a fixture. Sir Horace said all drivers must be. instructed to stand. The summons against the owner would be dismissed, the driver would be fined 40s.
Before Alderman Sir John Bell at the Guildhall:. (Summons Court) Edward Harris; a youth,. was.surh-: moned for driving a motor _wagon, he not having. clear and uninterrupted view of the traffic abreast
and on either side of him. • . . • •
Police-constable Buckland deposed that on the 4th: of June he saw Harris driving a heavy steam.motor wagon in King William _Street.. _ Ile was sitting on . the near side of the cabin, and his near-side view wa,s obstructed by the funnel and engine fittings, his offside view by the other man in the cabin who was standing up. Witness got in front of the vehicle with a view of testing the ability of Harris to see anyone by the off fore wheel; When the latter said, " I rely on the other man.to tell me in case of necessity." , By Mr. Parkes : Harris was steering. The other, man had charge of the controls, etc. He (witness) . should not think Harris could stand up and steer. The owner stated as a matter of fact there was . room for Harris to stand up. The "other man the driver from their point of view—managed the. • brake on the flywheel, the controls, -etc., and could turn the steering wheel, but it had been thought better for safety's sake to employ what was technic-. •-• ally known as a " mate." This was an Aveling and. Porter wagon, and no man could have a clear and uninterrupted view of the traffic on both sides. without altering the whole construction of the wagon..
Mr. Parkes said this was not a wilful breach of this by-law which only affected the County of London. It, was a pure question of construction. [This question of full view of the traffic and highway is dealt with in See. 2, Art. IV of the Use and Construction Order of 1904.—ED.] Harris was fined £1 for "driving without a proper. view."