The motorists' lot

Sir,
May I, through the columns of my favourite motoring journal, bring your attention to perhaps the most sinister threat to the hounded motorist—The Enemy Within.

Some months ago I received by registered letter a notice of intended prosecution against the driver of my car for a list of offences from dangerous driving downwards. A visit from the police confirmed my suspicions that a private motorist had made a statement to them. As no accident occurred I committed to paper my thoughts and recollections of the incidents mentioned and promptly forgot the episode.

Three months later, however, a wad of summonses arrived.

Despite the often conflicting evidence of the two motorists—the only evidence the police produced—and my solicitor procuring excellent counsel, I was found guilty of the “consolation” charge. (Has any motorist been found “not guilty” in a magistrates’ court?) Total cost to myself of about £60.

In the unlikely event of any Mortnt SPORT reader indulging in this unsavoury hobby, may I be the first to contribute to a fund to equip same with:—

(a) Radio transmitter aerial.

(b) Flashing blue light.

(c) Regulation uniform complete with flat-peaked cap.

Alternatively I’m sure the police—forever crying “undermanned” yet seemingly possessing plenty of time and effort to gnaw on the bare bones of any statement made to them—would be pleased of their enthusiastic and experienced help on a permanent basis.

Incidentally, surely your correspondent R. Barraclough is not naive enough to have really believed that the police would drop such a straightforward and lucrative case.

[Name and address supplied.—Ed.]