Recent Book: Stopping Vehicles: Stopping Vehicles and Occupant Control
| Author | V. T. Davis |
| Published date | 01 September 1961 |
| Date | 01 September 1961 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X6103400514 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
with London traffic forms by Mr. A. E. Jones, clerk to Marlborough Street
court.
Mr. Clarke's preface, which explains the lay-out of the work, repays careful
reading not only on that account, but also because it contains anumber of
very useful points on the subject of drawing up informations, summonses
and
indictments generally. These are put lucidly and in commonsense language.
There are five parts to the work, covering informations and summonses
other road traffic forms and London traffic forms. The appendices cover the
Pedestrian Crossing, Construction and Use, Brakes on Pedal Cycles and
P.S.V. (Conduct of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations.
It
should be noted that the contents apply only in England and Wales,
although Mr. Clarke hopes they will point to the appropriate Scottish style.
Each information gives the form of trial applicable and where this
is-or
may
be---on indictment, a footnote guides the reader at once to the page on which
the draft indictment will be found. Further footnotes give other useful in-
formation. There are tables of statutes and statutory instruments and a
complete alphabetical index, so that no time need be spent hunting about.
The cover is of soft laminated paper of good quality and pleasing appearance,
with a superfine transparent finish which will stand up to any amount
of
ordinary handling.
All those whose work is in any way connected with the drawing up
of
informations, summonses or indictments will find this publication a real
time-saver and what is more to the point, a trustworthy reference.
J. W.
MASON
STOPPING VEHICLFS
BERYL
LANGFORD,
ROBERT
SHEEHAN,
THOMAS
F.
LoBKOVlCH
and
PAUL
J.
WATSON:
Stopping Vehicles and Occupant Control. Blackwell Scientific
Publications.
4Os.
HERE
IS
ANOTHER
police publication attractively produced by Thomas Books.
The quartet of authors carried out considerable research in their own country
before writing, and their first section gives detailed statistics of training in the
numerous police departments circulated. This is overdone, especially for the
reader who is seeking to improve his techniques, and could well have been
summarized in far less than the 13 pages
it
occupies.
The great need for training traffic policemen is emphasized throughout this
volume, with two objectives: the first is to enable them to become more
confident, through increased knowledge, in dealing with members of the public
and, thereby, to foster better relations; the second to make them more efficient
in the technique of stopping the offending vehicle and so reduce the danger to
police and public alike. These are commendable aims and worth thought even
in countries like our own where there is, as yet, less likelihood of policemen
being shot at and possibly killed when stopping motor vehicles, though recent
incidents might indicate an increase in this possibility.
The theme of public relations is enlarged upon and although it could well
have been given more space
it
gives food for thought and stresses the need
continuously to train all officers who are in contact with the public. Later the
reader is told that .. Politeness is the keynote to a successful routine stop ..
and instances are given of some police departments who instruct their officers
to greet the offender pleasantly
with"
Good morning,
sir",
or .. Good evening.
Could I please see your driver's licence and
registration?"
This is sound and
has been operating in some areas of this country with success. .. Poor relations
between police and public often result for some police departments because
of
a few improperly trained officers who do not understand that the function of
the police is to investigate, not to punish or
reprimand",
and it could be added
that even when police caution minor offenders, as many do in Great Britain,
then politeness is stillthe keynote to success. This theme is sound and practical
and applies throughout the world; it is especially appropriate today when
376 September-october
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