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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12457163 \fs20\cf1\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {
\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3305515 
\par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 (WESTERN DIVISION)
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\par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid3305515 Appellate Jurisdiction
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12457163 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 Criminal Appeal No.50 of 1979}{
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\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5376943\charrsid3305515 ETWEEN
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5376943 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5376943 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12457163 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 DAYA RAM}{
\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3305515 
\par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid3305515 s/o Sukh Bir
\par }{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 (}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 Appellant}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 )
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{\factoidname City}}REGINA{\*\xmlclose}{\*\xmlclose}
\par (}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 Respondent}{\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 )
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12457163 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14293793 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163 Mr. M. Tappoo for Messrs. Vijai Chand & Company for the Appellant
\par Mr. D. Williams, Counsel for the Respondent
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12457163 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163\charrsid12457163 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14293793 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12457163 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 The appellant was charged with the offence of dangerous driving contrary to section 38 of the Traffic Ord}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742 
inance in that he drove a bus }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742 in a manner dangerous to the}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
 public having regard to all}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742  the circumstances of the case}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
 and in the alternative with careless driving contrary to section 37 of the Ordinance in that he drove the bus }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
without due care and attention.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742\charrsid14293793 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 He pleaded not guilty, but after hearing evidence the magistrate convicted him of dangerous driving, sentenced h}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742 
im to a fine of $40}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  and ordered that his driving licence be endorsed. He now appeals against his conviction }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742 
and sentence on various grounds.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742\charrsid14293793 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 The appellant was the driver of a bus conveying school g}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742 irls from school to their homes.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  On the way}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
two of the girls got frightened by smoke emitted from the vehicle, tried to get the driver to stop and when he failed to do so, or was too slow in doing so,}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742  jumped}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  out of the bus as it was moving and were injured.
\par 
\par Although one of the girls said the driver drove fast she said it was his usual speed, the other girl said he drove faster than usual. But there was}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7478742  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 in fact no evidence of excessive speed, or that speed had anything to do with the}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218  incident (except perhaps that}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  the injuries to the girls were greater than they might have been had the bus been travelling slower).}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218  Th}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 ere was no evidence that the driver was driving}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218  erratically or in a manner dangerous to any other traffic on the road}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 . There was evidence }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218 that there were a number of defe}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 cts to the bus so that it wa}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13175566 s subsequently taken off the roa}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 d until they were repaired, but there was not}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13175566  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
sufficient evidence to show that the vehicle itself was in a very dangerous condition or that the condition of }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218 the vehicle contributed to the a}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 ccident, except to}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218  the extent that the smoke emitted from th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 
e vehicle might}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  have caused the girls to panic.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218 
\par 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 Th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218 ere was clear evidence that}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  the exhaust e}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218 mitted a lot of black smoke, smoke which may or may }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 not have got into the bus - the evidence on this was not}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 very clear, but it would not be surprising if some did get into the bus. However the smoke itself was not }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218\charrsid14293793 dangerous}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218 , and there}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
 was no need for the girls to panic and jump out of the bus as they did. If they had kept their heads all would have been well.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6218\charrsid14293793 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 According to the girls they tried to get the appellant to stop the bus by ringing the bell, and by}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8919565  shouting}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  to him. When he failed to stop - or at least to stop quickly enough, or within a reasonable }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3612226 time}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 , they jumped out of the bus. It is not clear how the first girl jumpe
d out, since she was at the back of the bus she could not have got out through the door at the front, so presumably she got out through the window. The second girl was standing at the front of the vehicle and jumped out through the door.
\par 
\par It is not disputed that the driver d}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3612226 id stop, the evidence is that he}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  had stopped just near where the seco}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3612226 nd girl had jumped out, which w}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 as about 5-6 chains from where the first girl had jumped out. There is no evidence t}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3612226 o show whether the appellant kne}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 w that the first girl
 had jumped out - if, as seems probable, she went out of the window, it is also probable that he did not know. The magistrate made the significant and specif}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3612226 ic finding that the appellant}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  could not have for}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14288255 e}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
seen that any of the girls would jump out o}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3612226 f the bus, and I see}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  no reason to differ from his finding.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3612226 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 It seems to me that there are three quite clear issues to be decided. Firstly was the driver aware of the panic or e}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid721853 
ven hysteria pervading amongst the girls i}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 n the bus and the extent of that panic or hys
teria. Secondly did he fail to react quickly enough to the panic and stop the bus. And thirdly, if he did fail to react, or re}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 act quickly enough to the panic,}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  could that amount to dangerous driving?}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862\charrsid14293793 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 In }{\b\i\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862\charrsid2381133 Troughton v M}{\b\i\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid2381133 anning}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  (1905) 69 JP 207 it was stated th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 at the offences of careless and}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  dangerous driving applied to misconduct in the management of the vehicle towards people outside it on the }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 
highway, and not towards person}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14288255  in the vehicle, but this wa}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 s disapproved in }{
\b\i\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid2381133 Pa}{\b\i\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862\charrsid2381133 wley v Wharldall}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862  [}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14758846 1}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 965] 2}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8874254  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 AER 575.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862\charrsid14293793 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 Now th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
ere is no doubt that misconduct in the management of a vehicle towards people inside it can amount to dangerous or careless driving, even though there is no misconduct in relation to persons outside the vehicle.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11959862 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 In the instant case was there any potenti
al danger to any of the passengers? There was no reason for the girls to leap out of the vehicle and the magistrate has found that the driver could not have for}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14758846 e}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 seen that}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4072970  a}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
ny of them would have jumped out or perhaps even have tried to jump out. It is perha
ps easy to be wise after the event, but could one expect the driver to appreciate that it was necessary for him to stop the bus as quickly as possible because the hysterical school-girls might do something foolish. But if he could not }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14758846\charrsid14293793 foresee}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  that they would jump out of the bus whilst it was being driven, what other potential dangers}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14293793\charrsid14293793  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 were there?
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14758846 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 The m}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14758846 a}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 gistrate's finding on the question of}
{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4072970  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 dangerous driving was as follows}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4072970 :}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14293793\charrsid14293793 -}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4072970\charrsid14293793 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4072970 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
In all the circumstances of this case I find that the accused's manner of driving was da}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7492961 ngerous. In the evidence of PW1 it is mentioned that PW}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 1 noticed that the pressure in the rear tyre was }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 less}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  and that the accused's att}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7492961 ention was drawn to this by PW1. Even}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  if I}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7492961  }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 were to disregard this, I find that after the accused left the school compound he drove the bus at such a speed that after the smoke came}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7492961  into the bus and there was a ba}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
ng that he was unable to stop within a reasonable distance. He paid no heed to the students' request to stop; he did not cut down his}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7492961  speed. Wi}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 thin a few chains of the bus leaving the school}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4876583  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7492961 PW1 jum}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 p}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7492961 ed off the bus. I find that it was the accused's duty to take}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16022470 
 notice of wha}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 t wa}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16022470 s going on inside the bus. I am q}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 uite sure that he knew that there was excessive smoke inside the bus. In fact the accused himself admitted that the bus did emit excessive smoke (althou}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16022470 gh he denied that the smoke came inside). I fur}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
ther find that the accused knew that the students were panicking. Despite all this the accused continued to drive his bus at the same speed.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14293793 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
\par This was the basis of his }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8277662 finding that the appellant drove}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
 dangerously and there are a number of questions that arise from his remarks.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8277662\charrsid14293793 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 Firstly he seem}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15748887 ed to accept that speed was an e}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 l}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15748887 ement of the offence. As I have pointed out, and as Crow}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 n Counsel conceded, speed was not proved to have been an element of the offence. Secondly that one of the rear tyres was a bit flat - }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 only a little bit}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  - not that it had a puncture as one of the witnesses first said, although from the evidence it is probable that the tyre did get a pu
ncture - probably at the tine the passengers heard the bang before the bus stopped. If this were so, as the appellant said in evidence it would have been unwise to brake too}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15748887 
 sharply otherwise the bus might}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301923  have gone out of control}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 . It was necessary to slow
 more gently, which is what he said he did, and would be consistent with the fact that he did stop about 5 chains from where the first school-girl jumped out of the bus. The magistrate's specific finding }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 that there was no puncture as alleged by the accused}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12803102 "}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  does seem to disregard the evidence of the prosecution witnesses.}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301923  It was significant that the mag}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 istra}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301923 te found that the first school-}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
girl jumped}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301923  off the bus only a few chain}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 s of the bus leaving the school.}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14293793\charrsid14293793  }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 It is not as if he drove for a long distance}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10301923  
}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 with hysterical school-girls screaming at him from the back of the bus, and he recklessly ignored them.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7824622 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 The magistrate seemed satisfied that the driver knew there was excessive smoke inside the bus. It was accepted that the exhaust emitted excessive black s
moke and no doubt some of this managed to find its way inside the bus, but surely the wind created by the bus's speed would have kept most of it outside. I}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4876583 f smoke did get inside it would}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793  be towards the back where the exhaust pipe was, and so the driver mig
ht well, as he said, be unaware that any was coming inside the bus. In any case there was no reason for him to consider the smoke to constitute a danger, and indeed it did not constitute a danger to the bus or its passengers - except that it caused two of
 the school}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14293793\charrsid14293793 -}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 girls to panic.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7824622 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 I presume }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7824622 that the driver of a school bus}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
 has to put up with a lot of high spirits, noise and even tricks, such as bell ringing, by the school children, so that a driver might well have difficulty deciding whether noise, screami
ng, or even bell ringing at the back of a bus was genuine panic or hysteria, or whether it was - at least in part - high spirits.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7824622 
\par Sure}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 ly}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7824622  it can only be on the basis that the}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
 dr}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7824622 iver was fully aware of the panic or hysteria in the bus, and that }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 it }{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15606305 was of such a degree and nature that it }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 
could constitute a danger, and that he disregarded it wilfully and recklessly and regardless of the possible, perhaps for}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16261985 e}{
\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460\charrsid14293793 seeable consequences that he could be convicted of dangerous driving. I do not think that the evidence 
went that far, and I cannot believe that the magistrate if he had approached the case in this way, and if he had not quite wrongly considered speed to have played a part in the incident, would have convicted the appellant of dangerous driving, or even of 
careless driving.
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11483460 
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15606305 I therefore set aside the conviction and sentence passed on the appellant and acquit him.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15606305 {\b\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15606305\charrsid15606305 (Sgd.) G.O.L. Dyke
\par JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14293793 {\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15606305 
\par LAUTOKA
\par }{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5523759 27th}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15606305  September, 1979}{\fs24\cf0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15606305\charrsid14293793 
\par }}