§ 41. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSasked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that it is possible for the driver of a police car following another car to be able to determine with sufficient accuracy that the police car is travelling at the same speed as the other car; and is it realised that if a private car is travelling at 30 miles an hour and the police car gains 10 yards on it while travelling 100 yards, there is an error of three miles an hour in the estimated speed of the pursued car?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that he is satisfied that it is possible for the 1036 police, in the manner explained in answer to a question by my hon. Friend on the 9th instant, to determine with a reasonable degree of accuracy whether a car is or is not exceeding the speed limit. It is realised that a slight variation in the intervening distance between the police car and the car which is being followed is a factor which will affect the accuracy of the estimate of speed, and this consideration is taken into account by the police in deciding on their course of action.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIn other words, if the police are aware that they are travelling faster than the other car, they make allowances for that?
§ Sir J. SIMON,Yes, Sir.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not very undesirable that they should travel faster than the people who are supposed to be exceeding the speed limit?