{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f168\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;} {\f169\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f171\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f172\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f173\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);} {\f174\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f175\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f176\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255; \red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0; \red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\* \ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid1007967\rsid1076408\rsid7605190\rsid12004121} {\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6612;}{\info{\title IN THE SUPREME COURT OR FIJI}{\author blake_r}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2005\mo2\dy15\hr14\min57}{\revtim\yr2005\mo2\dy15\hr14\min57}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages2}{\nofwords651}{\nofchars3711} {\*\company USP}{\nofcharsws4354}{\vern16389}}\paperw11904\paperh16834\margl1440\margr1440 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\subfontbysize\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701 \dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3\jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot1007967 \fet0\sectd \linex0\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2 \pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 IN THE SUPREME COURT OR FIJI \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 Appellate Jurisdiction \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 Criminal Appeal No 41 of 1970 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 JUBBAR KHAN \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 s/o Jalil Khan}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 v. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 REGINAM \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 Respondent \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 Mr. H.M. Patel for the Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 Mr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 M. Raza for the Respondent \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 This is an appeal against a conviction for careless driving. Grounds 1, 2 and 3 simply amount to the same allegation namely that the Magistrate}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 did not interpret certain evidence in a manner favourable to the accused.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 The fourth ground alleges inconsistencies in the evidence of P.W.'s 1 and 2 but did not, as it should have done, give any particulars o}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7605190 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 the inconsistencies.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 The fifth and last ground is that the Magistrate should not have disbelieved D.W.4. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9918434\charrsid1007967 P.W.1, Jagdishwar Reddy, was driving a car from the direction of Suva to wards Rakiraki when he was involved in a collision with a motor lorry travelling in the opposite direction. It occurred as P.W.1 was going up-hill and about to enter a}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 left hand bend and the accused lorry driver was emerging from it. He says he tried to stop and pulled in to his extreme left side but the lorry struck the car and pulled it backwards.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par P.W.2 a passenger in the re}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 ar seat gave substantially the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 same kind of evidence except that the car had in fact stopped as the truck hit it. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 When accidents of th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7605190 is nature occur on a bend the pa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 rti}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7605190 es}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 are screened from each other until an instant or two before impact, everything is over in a second or two, and the participants have little time to realise what is happening before it is }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7605190 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 ver. Their recollections are bound to vary. The difference between "almost stepped"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 and "stopped" in relation to the car at the time}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 of the impact cannot affect the question of liability for the actual cause of the accident. It is not}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 the same as an accident on a long straight road where the vehicles could and should be clearly}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 visible to the opposite drivers and passengers for a quarter mile or more.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 In such cases the behaviour leading up to the accident can be obser}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7605190 ved for several seconds giving ro}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 om for recollections to be something more than immediate impressions. In my view the learned Magistrate quite rightly regarded that discrepancy as of no significance.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par Both P.W.'s 1 a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 nd 2 stated that the lorry was o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 n its wrong side of the road and still hit the car which was}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 on its extreme left hand side. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 If that is true then the lorry driver would on the face of it be guilty of, at least, careless driving. \par \par A police plan indicates that the car was dragged backwards for 32' and the lorry came to rest 101' from the police of impact. The point of impact was taken to be marked by some pieces of glass lying }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12004121 o }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 n the road. Of course thi s was not bound to be the point of collision in that the glass is bound to have a momentum in the direction of the vehicle from which it dropped and will touch the ground beyond the point of impact if the}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 vehicle is moving at the time. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 However, in this cas e if the glass came from the car it would have no momentum because the car was almost stopped. If it came from the lorry it would have a momentum in the direction of the lorry and on falling to the ground would be displaced from the point of impact in the direction of the lorry which would give a location m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12004121 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 re favourable to the lorry. Accordingly acceptance of the broken glass as the point of impact would n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12004121 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 t, in my opinion, operate to the accused's disadvantage but would tend to produce}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 a shorter stopping di}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12004121 stance o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 n the part of the lorry. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par D.W.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 4}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 a taxi driver, was following the P.W.1, and his evidence was to the effect that P.W.1's driving was somewhat erratic and that he was in the centre of the read when the accident occurred.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12004121 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 Such evidence from a witness who was n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12004121 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 t personally involved would be bound to exercise the mind }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 any magistrate to approach the prosecution evidence, pointing to a contrary state of affairs, with considerable caution. It is n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12004121 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 t the kind of evidence which could be glossed over or dealt with in an indiffere}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 nt manner. The Magistrate did no}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 t believe}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 D.W.4 and}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 he gave reasons for so doing. H}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 e saw and heard the witness. There is nothing in the evidence }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 or in the learned Magistrate's }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 judgment which indicates that he must have erred in discrediting D.W.4.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par For the foregoing reasons the appeal is dismissed. \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 The appellant will pay the pr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967 osecution costs which I fix at $}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 20.00. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 J.T. Williams \par JUDGE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1007967 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1007967\charrsid1007967 \par Suva, \par 28th August, 1978 \par }}