Speeding and the Law in 1901

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To judge the pace of a cycle or motor is most difficult, and even with a watch the actual pace can seldom be correctly given. Our Magistrates and police are very level headed and down on faulty evidence, but sometimes evidence is tendered which on the face of it looks sound, and which is seriously believed by those who offer it. Such an instance occurred recently when Mr W. I. Inksbys was fined for driving his motorcycle faster than the legal pace. Evidence was given that he rode 600 yards in one minute, but on consideration it will be found that this evidence is extremely faulty.

An ordinary watch was used, the witness is not used to time keeping and he tried to take the time between two points. Now any of these conditions insures inaccuracy. No one can actually take the time without a good split second stop watch, an inexperienced man cannot take the time even with a stop watch properly, and no man can take the time at two points, especially when one is 600 yards away.

For instance, when standing on the Cornhill, Lincoln, one cannot say when a man is under or passed through the Stonebow. The other conditions would be fully understood by those who have acted as time keepers. I should not have referred to this, but in some parts of the Country much of this faulty evidence has been tendered, but before any more of this is offered, I hope its unreliability is understood.   

Of late,  some policemen have been put in hiding in the Leake and Wrangle district between Boston and Wainfleet, for the express purpose of bringing a case against some of the automobilists from Nottingham and elsewhere using these roads.

This is very unfair indeed. When a constable, especially a young one, is sent, as was admitted at the Boston County Police Court last Wednesday, for the express purpose of trying a case, they are sure to do it by hook or by crook. It is very un-English to lie in wait, except of course when some grave offence has been committed.  Surely there is no need to hide behind blacksmiths' doors and in other places for the purpose of “copping a motorist” who is in a perfectly innocent manner going above the absurd legal limit on a straight clear road.  If some accidents have occurred it would have been different. I am pleased to see that the Magistrates refused to convict Mr Harbidge. The evidence of the police showed that he drove very carefully and slowed up at all corners and for traffic, yet a case was brought! They were particularly told to bring one.