Dangerous Motoring on the Seafront.

I love this article from the Eastbourne Chronicle dated Saturday July 22nd 1916. The Dangerous driver was driving his two-seater car at the speed of 35 miles per hour along Eastbourne Seafront.

The Chief Inspector tried to stop him by putting up his hand but it took him over 100 yards to stop the car and then he sped off. How times have changed!!!

"Dangerous Motoring on the Front.

Lieutenant Gordon M. Mew, said to be a wounded officer staying at a convalescent home in Brighton, was summoned for driving a motor car at a dangerous speed on the Grand Parade on the 11th. Defendant did not appear, and no communication had been received from him.

Parade Inspector Dann said at about 1.45 on the day in question a small two-seater car passed him at the Grand Hotel. In it were the defendant and a lady. The car was going at a pace which he estimated at from 35 to 40 miles an hour. The Chief Inspector who was with the witness, put up his hand, but at such a pace was the car going that it covered another hundred yards before it stopped. Without waiting for witness to come up, defendant drove off again and finally stopped at the Landsdowne Hotel. Witness proceeded thither and saw the defendant, of who he asked,

“What was your object in driving so fast?”

Defendant replied, “None really.”

Witness pointed out that the speed was 35 miles an hour, and witness told him it was too fast and he would be reported. In reply, to a question witness told him that if summoned he would either appear or send a letter.

Evidence of the service of the summons having been given, a penalty of £2 was imposed."