"MAGISTRATES AND MOTORISTS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Your note on this subject seems to me very reasonable but there is one element in the matter which seams deserving of notice, viz., the absurd maximum penalties which the law permits. The following case came under my notice : A Surrey Bench fined a motorist £50 and suspended his licence for two years for exceeding the speed limit. I was present when the case came before the Appeal Committee at Kingston. The police stated that there was rio danger. The Committee reduced the fine to £10 and the suspension to one year, still, in my view, an excessive penalty and one that I do not think the Committee would have imposed had the case come before them for the first hearing. Now, why should the law permit such a punishment for such an offence ? It must be remem- bered that had there been an element of danger the motorist would have been charged with dangerous or negligent driving. When magistrates contemplate the penalties permitted they may well, like Clive, be astonished at their own moderation.
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