§ Captain BRASSasked the Home Secretary whether he has evidence to show that the timing of motor vehicles over measured distances by plain-clothed police officers is an efficient method of preventing dangerous driving; and, if not, whether he will consider any alternative method having that object in view?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe timing of motor vehicles is an efficient method of detecting cases of driving at excessive speed. In the offence of driving to the danger of the public other elements, apart from speed, have to be taken into account. I should be happy to consider any practicable method of preventing such offences.
§ Captain BRASSasked the Home Secretary how many motorists who were found to be exceeding the speed limits of 10 or 20 miles per hour in the police controls operated by the Metropolitan Police over the week-ends 28th to 30th March and 4th to 6th April, respectively, were prosecuted for exceeding the limits, and how many for dangerous driving?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSSeventy-four motorists who were found to be exceeding the speed limit of 10 miles per hour, and 93 who were found to be exceeding the speed limit of 20 miles per hour in the controls operating over the weekend 28th to 30th March were prosecuted 1121 for exceeding the limits, and 15 for dangerous driving. Sixty-four motorists who were found to be exceeding the speed limit of 10 miles per hour, and 80 who were found to be exceeding the speed limit of 20 miles per hour (including four for exceeding the limit of 12 miles per hour for heavy vehicles) in the controls operating over the week-end 4th to 6th April, were prosecuted for exceeding the limits, and 12 for dangerous driving.
§ Captain BRASSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the speed is taken as the criterion of dangerous driving; whether any consideration is taken of the amount of traffic on the road at the time, and the braking efficiency of the particular vehicle concerned?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS:I think I may say that all relevant considerations are taken into account.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Members of this House frequently break the speed limit by driving on trams?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members had better make these confessions in private.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINOn a point of Order. May I say that I never drive on trams?
§ 34. Captain BRASSasked the Home Secretary at what alleged speeds in excess of 10 miles per hour in 10-mile speed limits in the Metropolitan area motorists are prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit; and at what increased alleged speeds this prosecution is substituted for the more serious one of dangerous driving?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe police are anxious not to enforce the law with unnecessary rigour against motorists, and do not prosecute if a 10-mile speed limit has been exceeded by only a moderate amount; but it is impossible to say that either in this or in the matter of dangerous driving there is any hard and fast rule.