CONTROL OF MOTORING.

Evening Star, Issue 22147, 30 September 1935, Page 11

CONTROL OF MOTORING.

TO TUB EDITOR.

Sir,—ln a spirit of fair play lam constrained to offer some comment upon the remarks of Mr J. H. Hinton at the Automobile Association’s meeting, and his subsequent letter to you. It is so easy and comparatively safe to attack public servants in this way, seeing they are precluded from replying, but surely other members present than Cr Allen might have offered some protest. Mr Hinton’s complaint really should have been addressed to the magistrate, for he was twice convicted and fined for the offences which he alleges were unfairly charged against l him by traffic inspectors. When one reflects that by far the greatest number of accidents is due to excessive speeding, it is surprising that Mr Hinton should take umbrage at action by responsible officers charged with carrying out the law. and safeguarding human life. Mr Hinton’s comments on the “ impertinent ” language used to him by inspectors is really laughable. In the main our officers are conspicuous for courtesy in their manner rather than otherwise, and I .know that their practice is to warn in nearly every case before issuing a summons; but culprits can surely not expect to be approached in supplicatory language. The police frequently take action similar to that complained of in our inspectors, but I have yet to learn that their' language is regarded as “ impertinent.” I have often thought that the Motor Club (now Automobile Association) in the past has been too prone to gird at those responsible for observance of the regulations instead of giving them a helping hand, and I offer the suggestion that in future it give some consid'eration to the difficulties .encountered by the inspectors, and try to discipline members a little; - I offer the further suggestion that since a motor car has been supplied to the 1 inspectors there has been a marked diminution in the speeds formerly adopted by a section of the community.—l am, etc., F. W. Mitchell. September 29.