The Motorist's Lot

The Motorist’s Lot

Sir,

I refer to your editorial and readers’ correspondence concerning the unhappy lot of motorists because of legislation and Police persecution.

Whilst it is encouraging to see that some attempt is being made to combat this, with respect, I feel that the average reader and average motorist now feels that by putting pen to paper either to his MP or a magazine really achieves little. Therefore, I think the initiative has to be taken by a magazine such as yours and the motoring clubs collectively—in this I do not include the AA or the RAC who, for many years, have illustrated their total lack of interest in the issues. Indeed, how many motorists have been advised by both Associations to plead guilty to motoring offences through the post “because it is not worthwhile doing anything else.” Whilst on this point I would like to comment from my own personal experience that by attending Court one’s chances of getting off more lightly are increased rather than decreased and this brings me to suggest that perhaps this recommendation could be publicised. The Courts would soon collapse under the amount of work and this may well prove to be an effective form of protest. It would, for example, eliminate the inconsistencies of fines imposed for identical offences and would not I think antagonise the Police in any way who probably prefer to spend a day in the Police Room at the Courts rather than out on the road. May I also suggest that perhaps the maga

zine could publish a comprehensive Counsel’s opinion on the various technicalities that have to be adhered to by the Police when stopping a motorist for an offence because frequently these technicalities are not complied with and are grounds for having a summons dismissed. Whilst I accept that the Police are overworked, the amount of work that Traffic Police have to do is of their own choosing as they go and look for offenders, after all.

As to legislation generally and taxation, letters to MPs will, I think, only provide them with scrap paper and demonstrations will only inconvenience the motorists and put more money (from petrol) into the Exchequer. At this stage I am afraid I can offer no suggestion for an effective demonstration but perhaps a competition with a small prize may tempt readers to get down to thinking up something. Address supplied D. PARKER