hout any consideration for others, drivers who think they are safe at the wheel even though they have drunk too much alcohol, drivers who, out of some curious sense of power, are incapable of understanding that their car is a lethal weapon if improperly used. Pedestrians, likewise, must share the guilt: stepping off the pavement without first looking to the left or right, crossing roads when the traffic lights are against them, jumping off a moving bus. To be fair, pedestrians, drivers and road conditions are all to blame.

One looks forward to the day when the motor car has been replaced by some less dangerous means of transport.

　

5. At the Scene of the Accident

Policeman: Now, sir, I,m sorry to have kept you waiting. I had to look after the

traffic on the road until some more police arrived. You,re the driver

of the blue car, I believe.

Mr.Simpson: Yes.

Policeman: Just a few questions, sir. Do you feel all right?

Mr.Simpson: Yes, I'm... I'm fine now. I was a little shaken up at first.

Policeman: Well, I'll try not to keep you long. I just want a few details, and the

rest of the information I can get tomorrow. Can I have your name and

address, please?

Mr.Simpson: Jeremiah Simpson, 15 Portland Crescent, Leeds.

Policeman: Have you got your driving licence and insurance certificate with you?

Mr.Simpson: Yes... Oh, here they are.

Policeman: M'hm... Thank you... Oh... Yes, they're all right. Now, were there any

passengers in the car?

　



Mr.Simpson Er yes, er my wife and a friend - a young lady. My wife was itting

in the back and her friend in the front passenger seat.

Policeman: Where are they now?

Mr.Simpson: The ambulance has just taken them to hospital. You spoke to the

ambulance driver before he set off. Did he say anything about

the young lady?

Policeman: He said that her injuries looked worse than they really were. The other

woman--that'd be your wife, I assume--appeared to be suffering from

shock.

Mr.Simpson: Yes, I know. They advised her to go to hospital for a check-up, just in

case.

Policeman: Mm. Was the young lady wearing her seatbelt?

Mr.Simpson: No, unfortunately. I told her to put it on, but she couldn't adjust it.

I didn't think it was worth stopping the car because we were only

going a few miles.

　



Policeman: Did she go through the windscreen?

Mr.Simpson: No, she was very lucky. But she hurt her leg on the dashboard.

Paliceman: Mm. It could've been much worse. Now, sir, will you tell me in your own

words what happened?

Mr.Simpson: Oh... Well, as you can see, I was travelling along this?main road when

suddenly er the other car came out of er that sidestreet. It all

happened so quickly. I just didn't see him until he hit me.

Policeman: I've just spoken to the other motoriest and he says that you were

speeding.

Mr.Simpson: What?

Policeman: Is this true?

Mr.Simpson: That,s a lie. My wife and Becky'll tell you that I stopped at the away.

pedestrian crossing just down there. You can see it's only fifty yards

I could hardly have reached thirty miles an hour by the time I got here.

Goodness knows what would've happened if I'd been going faster.

　



Policeman: The other driver said that he stopped at the junction. When he pulled

out there was nobody coming, so you must have been speeding.

Mr.Simpson: Well, it' s not true. I've witnesses to prove it. He couldn't have

stopped. The lighting is very good here along this stretch

Policeman: Yes.He should have stopped.Why did you stop at the pedestrian crossing?

Mr.Simpson: There were two old ladies on it. I'm always a bit careful with old

people because they're likely to walk across the road without looking

properly.

Policeman: I shouldn't worry, sir. We don't think you were speeding--even without

measuring the skid marks.

Mr.Simpson: Er, was he-er, the other driver-drunk?

Policeman: I don't know yet.He's admitted that he's had one or two drinks,but says

it was only two half-pints. We're going to give him a breathalyser test

to see whether he's over the limit. If he is, he'll be asked to have a

blood test.

　



Mr.Simpson: Well, I haven't touched a drop all night!

Policeman: No, sir. It's surprising how much a driver's breath smells even if he's

only had one drink. Well, sir, I don't think I need to detain you

any longer. We shall want written statements from you, your wife and

the young lady tomorrow.

Mr.Simpson: Yes... What'll happen to my car? It's obvious that with that

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