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{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6612;}{\info{\title IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\author blake_r}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2005\mo2\dy15\hr15\min36}{\revtim\yr2005\mo2\dy15\hr15\min36}{\version2}{\edmins2}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords544}{\nofchars3104}
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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par Appellate Jurisdiction
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 Criminal Appeal No. 45 of 1978
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 Between:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 MOHAMMED IQBAL}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 s/o MOHAMMED YUSUF
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 REGINAM
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 
On the 9th May 1978 at Nausori Magistrates Court the appellant was convicted after trial of dangerous driving contrary to section 38(1) of the Traffic Ordinance and was fined $80 and his licence endorsed.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 He has appealed through counsel against conviction}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 
on the grounds that he was not identified as the driver of the vehicle beyond reasonable doubt.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 It is not too much to say that this ground of appeal is an insult to the intelligence of the Court in view of the fact that, quite apart from other evidence, an
 independent eye-witness identified the appellant beyond any shadow of doubt. He testified, inter alia: "I knew the defendant for a long time. He stays in the same area ... the car of the defendant, Iqbal, overtook me ..}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 . the defendant drove in a zig z}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 ag m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12869594 anner .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 
.. the defendant's car went and banged the middle of that other car ... the first prosecution witness went past the junction and the defendant turned into her ... the defendant hit the first prosecution witness on the right side ... the defendant wa}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12869594 s overspee}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713\charrsid11544325 ding that is what caused the accident ... after a while the defendant disappeared."}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par O}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
n the hearing of this appeal I called upon the appellant to shew cause why the sentence should not be enhanced as the facts reveal it to be a very bad case of dangerous driving, the appellant having shewn
 no regard for the safety of other road users. He drove his car on Kings Road at a very fast spe}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2898713 e}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
d and in such an erratic manner as to collide with a car which was approaching at a moderate speed from the opposite direction on its correct side of the road, striking it with such violence that it overturned and rolled off the road.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
The lady driver was thrown into the rear seat by the force of the impact and her eight-year old daughter was thrown out of the car, but fortunately landed in the bush about eight ya
rds away instead of on the road surface. Nevertheless the little girl was injured severely enough to}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
be admitted and detained in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for over two weeks. The fact that she and her mother were not killed or maimed for life is merely fortuitous and not attributable to the appellant.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par The standard of driving on the roads of Fiji is deplorable, and the list of casualties from traffic accidents grows longer all the time. It is clear from the cases that come before the courts that roa
d courtesy is rarely practised, that vehicles are driven at an unsafe speed and that there is an alarming failure on the part of drivers to anticipate events. Providing for regular vehicle checks and improving the condition of the roads, while most desira
b
le, will not remedy these deficiencies in driving. What appears to be needed is a very much higher standard of driving instructors and of driving tests, combined with the deterrent effect of heavier penalties in the case of culpable traffic offenders, suc
h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325  as the appellant.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 Disqualification from driving, is to my mind the most effective deterrent and the courts have adequate powers to order same, which should be exercised in all deserving cases.
\par 
\par On a first conviction for dangerous driving, disqualification is in the discretion of the court (section 29(1)(a) of the Traffic Ordinance), and this is a proper case for its application.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 The appeal against conviction is dismissed, and in addition to the fine imposed by the lower court the appellant is disqu
alified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.
\par }\pard \ql \fi-1296\li1296\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1296\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par }\pard \qc \fi-1296\li1296\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1296\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 Clifford H. Grant
\par Chief Justice
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11544325 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11544325\charrsid11544325 Suva,
\par 31st July 1978.
\par }}