Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 25 September 1931

 Dangerous Driving.

West Melton Butcher Fined

Arnold Moore, 26, butcher, of Windy Ridge. Barnsley Road, West Melton, was at Rotherham West Riding Police Court, on Monday, summoned for having driven a motor van in a manner dangerous to the public at Barnsley Road, Wath, on Sept. 1st.

Walter Wincott, shunter, of 72, Exchange Street, Doncaster, said at 8.20 am. on Sept. 1st he was driving his motor car along Barnsley Road, Wath, towards Doncaster, at 12 miles an hour when he saw a heavy motor lorry approaching in the opposite direction at about 13 miles an hour. About this time he saw a motor van caught out from behind the lorry at 35 to 40 miles an hour. The driver of the van gave no warning. If Witness pulled up’s five yards, otherwise there would have been a head-on collision between him and the van. The road at that point was extremely narrow. There was some fog, but the vision was clear and witness could see for a distance of 80 to 100 yards.

George William Ellis, shunter, of 112, Sandymount Road, Wath said at a.m. he was with Wincott in the car. He worked with Wincott. When 150 yards from the police station he saw a motor van cut from behind a lorry at a speed of 35 to 40 miles an hour. After passing the lorry the van driver did not reduce his speed. When Wincott pulled up the van missed him by about six inches.

James Duffield a gas regulator, of 1, Fearnleigh Terrace, Wath, said from his front door step he saw the van cut out from behind the lorry.

P.c. Lofthoute was another eye witness of the incident. When told he would be reported, Moore said. “I admit I was speeding a bit.”

Moore said he had followed the lorry for 150 yards and the road widened at the point where he passed it. The lorry reduced his speed and he went forward. He would not be travelling at more than 20 miles an hour. The van was ten years old. He had not had an accident and had been summoned only for technical motoring offences.

Mr. J. B. Bradford, solicitor, said Moore was not going at a fast speed and drove past the lorry when the lorry slowed down.

Ald. A. P. Aialewood (presiding), said it would have been a serious matter if Wincott had not pulled up, and the probabilities were that there would have been a serious accident. That could not be over-looked.

Moore was fined £5 and ordered to pay £1 12s. costs.