MADCAPS!

Long Ashton Petty Sessions.. 5th May 1900
'FURIOUSLY DRIVING A MOTOR CAR'

'....Mr.A.Thomas said that on the afternoon of the day in question he was walking down Old Church Road when a motor car passed him going at the rate of 25-30mph.  It was in a cloud of dust, and none of the passengers were recognisable.  He telephoned to the Clifton Suspension Bridge for the time to be taken when the motor car arrived there.  Wm.Gibson said he was in charge of a horse and cart in Elton Road when a motor car came round the corner and caused his horse to shy and back into another cart coming behind, and broke the shaft and a portion of the harness.  He believed it to be going at 16-20mph.
Defence : ... According to checked time, the distance covered to the Suspension Bridge was 11 miles, and this was done in just under the hour... there was no traffic about, therefore no question of danger.
BENCH came to the conclusion that the car was driven over 12 mph, and imposed a fine of £1 with costs. '


Bristol Police Court.  10th May 1900.

'   Several gentlemen were summoned for riding bicycles down Park Street, Bristol, at a furious pace, generally early in the morning.  In most cases the constables timed the offenders between definite points, and the general pace was between 12 - 16 mph.  Fines (for exceeding the Speed Limit of 12 mph) ranged from 10s. and costs were imposed. '