27 DECEMBER 1935, Page 6

At last—though there may well have been other eases which

I have not noticed—a coroner has spoken some plain words on the dangers of the no-hooting- after-11.30 rule. The inquest was at Manchester, on a man killed by a car, and the driver of the latter admitted he had not sounded his horn before passing anotheF car " because it was after time." The coroner laid it down roundly that the right thing was to disobey the law and save life. I agree, and probably that is the best way to leave it. The regulation has produced a welcome silence in great cities, and it is right that the onus should lie on a' driver of showing good cause for breaking it. But that good cause may exist ought to be very frankly recognised by the police before they decide whether to bring a charge.

JANuS'.