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PAGE 6, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1974, WHITBY FREE PRESS KALNINS ON . .. SpeedR L*mits The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (forierly the Department of Transport) is considering lowering speed limits on our super-highways. The planned reduction ap- pears to be substantial - from the existing 70 mph to 50 or 55 mph. As you may recall, the 50 - mile speed zone was a standard one throughout Ontario sone twenty years ago. But, twenty years ago we had only half of the cars on the roads and some of the raods were pretty narrow at that. One could reason that on poorly-built roads, a driver should not be allowed to exceed the 50 mph speed limit. Those days, I'd say, the highway speed system worked to a satisfactory degree. However, today the motpring picture is entirely differ- ent. We have super highways like 401, 427, 400 and Que- bec's fanous Autoroute, north of Montreal . The highways are better engineered and therefore speed limits are higher. To say that higher speed lirnits are to be blamed for all road deaths in Ontario is pure nonsense. What's really hap- pening is that most of the drivers drive like maniacs when they hit a super highway. They act as if they were in con- trol of an airplane or a racing car at Mosport. Simple, they lose common sense. After many years of driving experience on various roads both in Canada and the United States, I maintain that the real problem in this case where speed is of utmost concern is the driver himself. He is not properly educated to han- dle his vehicle under adverse road conditions. He is care- less most of the time and in addition to that is an arrogant, happy-go-lucky motorist who does not give a danin about fellow travellers. Reduced speed will not stop his overall arrogant attitude nor will it cut down on highway traffic fatalities. If new speed limits will come into effect, I can already foresee the results: it wîll be a chaos all the way. Highways will be jammed with slow-pokes; some will try to overtake these "Sunday drivers" and - BANG - there will be accidents all over the place. It is a known fact that uneven speeds contribute to ma- jor road disasters. And, I'm willing to predict that police, as usual, will cool off their heels far awav from the hot spots. How often do you se a policeman on the road when he's most needed for law enforcernent? My contention is simply this: We need better drivers godubmou_ and NOT lower specu mits. We also need policemen who can enforce existing laws. We need officers who can spot law-breakers and remove them froni our roads. All in ail, let's not fool around with the speed limits in this province. Speed at 70 inph is quite safe if you know how to drive. But, those who don't know how to drive - get off the road! Norman Edmondson New Court Judge Crown Attorney Edward The second week of Au- Howell. "We hope he will ii gust saw a new Provincial the years to come find plea- Court Judge begin his pro. sure and satisifaction as His ceedings in the Whitby Court. Honor presides over the pro-, Although the recently ap. ceedings of the Court. We pointed Provincial Court Jud- welcome him with pleasure." ge is new to the area in his As Court Officer OPP Con capacity as a Judge he is well stable Donald MacKay pre- known in the District as a pared to adjourn the Court lawyer. Norman Edmondson at the conclusion of the ses- moved to Oshawa where he sion Provincial Court Judge went into private law prac- Edmondson asked the ad- tice. He is well known as a journment be delayed for a former Public School Trustee few moments. His Honor then Public School Board then said he wished to Chairman on the former extend his appreciation to County School Board and on those who welcomed him to the Region of Durham the Court on his first day in Scbool Board. office. His Honor is married and "I wish to say that I proud parent of two children. appreciate the cordial recep- He has for a nuniber of years. tion that I received from enjoyed and been active in everyone present and that the Little Theatre Group of includes the representative of Oshawa. Prior to accepting the Press whom I have the position on the Judiciary known for some lime. I of the Region of Durham appreciate the kind consid- District Courts, Provincial eration that has been ex- Court Judge Edmondson tended to me on my first day retired from his law practice on this jurisdiction and I an and resigned his position on looking forward to the years the School Board and many ahead." His Honor then other activities including the permitted the Court to be Theatre Group. adjourned to the next regu- The Court Officials wel- lar Court day in the Juris- coned lis Honor to the diction. Whitby Court on his first day The Court Officials have in his new position as Pro- expressed pleasure at work- vincial Court Judge. "We ing with Provincial Court hope that His Honor will en- Judge Edmondson during the joy working with us," said ensuing Court davs Otîawa K1P ~A6 .LX MARANO SHOES 121 Brock St. North 668-7341 * If you've always want- ed a shoe that was hand made, we can help you ou t! * You'll flip over the modern design and fine detailing of the shoes! Honestly, this is the shoe for you. * Come in today and look them over. * WE CAN HANDLE SPECIAL ORDERS FOR CUSTOM MADE SHOES! Girls Shoes Available Sept. 5 HOURS Mon. - Thurs. 9-6 Friday 9-0 S.turdv 9-6 ,-& 1 Possession of Drugs Is an Expensive Charge Being in possession of marijuana or crugs of any kind "is going to be expensive," said Provincial Court Judge Norman Edmondson as he convicted a number of young people who appeared before him in the Ajax Court on drug charges. Paul Wright 20 of 42 Exter Road Ajax was fined $100 or seven days in jail on the charge of being in possession. of marijuana. He was given 30 days in which to pay his fine. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Police had seen the youth throw away a plastic package which contained three granis of marijuana. Kenneth Raymond Barnard, 19, of 110 Exter Road, Ajax was fined $100 or seven days in jail on the charge of being in possession of marijuana. He was given 14 days in which to pay his fine. He pleaded guilty to the charge. He tod the Court that he had got out of the habit "a while back and had just got back into it again." The car driven by the accused was spotted travelling in an erratic manner, was stopped by the police and searched. During the search the plastic bag containing seven grams of can- nibis marijuana was found. The youth had bought it for $5.00 police said and lie "was smoking it to some extent prior to being apprehended. Sto len Goods Vernon Hugh McGill, 30, of 1096 Hortop Street, Osha- wa was fined $200 or 20 days in jail on a charge of being in possession of stolen goods. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Mr. McGill was given 30 days in which to pay his fine. If it is not paid within that time he will be sentenced to the jail term. While on property patrol check Constable Fitzpatrick noticed a new car, on the parking lot of a Baseline car dealer, missing four tires and four wheels. The tires and wheels are valued at $472.80 total. Two days later on July 17th the owner - manager of the car lot saw a car parked in an alleyway in Whitby with the missing tires and wheels on the car. Mr. McGill admitted that he had purchased the wheels and tires for a total of $177 at an Oshawa hotel. He told the police that he had been drinking and the purchase had been made in the beverage room of the hotel about Il p.m. He said he didn't know that the tires or Wvheels were stolen. He was drinking and just didn't think about it. Send you dollars to:, CARE Canada Dept. 4 63 Sparks St. Ottawa K1 P 5A6e;