The Dangerous Driving of Motor Vehicles
| Published date | 01 July 1949 |
| Date | 01 July 1949 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X4902200311 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
THE
DANGEROUS DRIVING OF MOTOR VEHICLES 215
Wells are certainly moving in the right direction, as shown in the com-
parison below :
193
8
194
6
1947
194
8
(Accidents known to police)
461
397
367
347
The Dangerous Driving of Motor
Vehicles
Asis well known
the
dangerous driving of a motor vehicle for
criminal classification purposes may be due to :
(a) Careless driving (maximum penalty three months).
(b)
Reckless or dangerous driving (maximum penalty two years
on indictment).
(c)
Under
the influence of drink or drugs (maximum penalty
six months on indictment).
Prior to the 1930 Road Traffic Act, motorists were prosecuted
for reckless driving under the Motor Car Act of 1903, s.
I,
and
the
maximum penalty was a fine of £20, and not £50 as now.
Unlike most criminal charges
the
fact
that
careless or dangerous
driving has been committed may often not be apparent, and it is
probably no exaggeration to write
that
at many incidents police officers
are unable to decide whether or
not
such offences have been committed.
Another difficulty in sifting
the
true
facts concerning an accident
may occur where amotorist involved in a collision reports same at a
police station in another area or county where the site of the accident
is unknown to the police officer receiving the report.
This
fact often
prevents immediate investigation at the scene, and interviewing of
the repartee by
the
same police officer.
Most cases of dangerous driving, except perhaps solely speed
offences, become apparent as a result of a collision.
If
the
accident
is witnessed by the Police the task of deciding the blame, if any, is
eased. But to the majority of road accidents the Police are summoned,
and must make a decision then, or later, concerning the guilty person(s),
either from the skid, brake, or other marks visible, from the damage
committed, by the driver(s) and passenger(s) statements, or often
more decisively by the statements of independent witnesses.
Any experienced police officer will need no reminder concerning
witnesses. Many are unreliable. Some because they wish to help the
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