Cambridge Independent Press 22 Oct 1909: P.C. Martin's speed trap

ALLEGED FAST DRIVING AT TRUMPINGTON.

Summons Against London Motorist Dismissed

At the Cambridge Division Police Court on Saturday, Walter Thomas Blake, of 18 Craven Hill Gardens, London, was summoned for having driven a motor car at a speed dangerous to the public in the main street of Trumpington village on September 26th. The magistrates present were Dr. Living (in the chair), W. A. Macfarlane Grieve, W. W. Clear, E. Few, A. P. Humphry, and E. H. Thornhill, Esqs.

Mr. Ernest Vinter, solicitor, of Cambridge, appeared for the defendant and pleaded not guilty.

P.c. Martin deposed that on the day in question, a Sunday, he was on duty in Trumpington, timing motor cars over a measured distance of 440 yards, commencing at the signboard near Trumpington Cemetery and ending 40 yards before one got to the Red Lion publichouse. He saw defendant’s car come along the road, and witness’s stop watch registered 39 seconds over the measured distance, which worked out at 23 miles 135 yards per hour. There were eight cyclists and seven foot passengers on the road at the time.

P. s. Pallant corroborated, and stated that the measured distance was through the populated part of the village.

Mr. Vinter said there were no signboards put up by the local authorities at that part of the road, and strangers did not know it was a dangerous place. Defendant, who was driving about the statutory speed, was not aware that there was likely to be any traffic or concourse of people, or that there were any dangerous corners. Mr. Vinter thought if the police intended to prosecute at all it should be a prosecution for exceeding the speed limit, even if he did that.

Defendant said there were only a few people on the road at the time. He did not consider the village was a dangerous one from the point of view of the driver unless one drove very fast. At 20 miles an hour one could go through with perfect safety.

Thomas Hugh Cobb, defendant’s employer, said he did not notice many people on the road. Defendant was an exceptionally careful driver.

The Bench dismissed the case.