South Yorkshire Times, February 9th, 1934
Stern Warning
Conisboro’ Cyclist’s Injury
An accident in which David Fox, Old Street, Conisborough, was severely injured had a sequel at Doncaster on Tuesday when Edward Albert Manning, commercial traveller, Sheffield, was fined £10 and had his driving licence suspended for six months for driving his car to the danger of the public at Warmsworth.
Imposing the fine, the Chairman (Mr. G. E. Cooke-Yarborough) remarked that defendant’s licence would have been suspended for longer had it not been that he depended on the car for his livelihood.
Continuing, Mr Cooke-Yarborough, said that all magistrates had received a circular from the Home Office on the vastly increased number of accidents on the roads. “There is no doubt that courts will have to administer justice more severely if we are going to stop this sort of diving. Cyclists should be able to ride safely at night.”
Supt. W. Huddlestone said that about 5-50 p.m. on December 7th, Fox was cycling along the main road towards Conisborough and was on his proper side. His machine was well lighted and had two efficient refractors. When 500 yards on the Conisborough side of Warmsworth cross roads. Fox felt a bump and was knocked off his machine and run over by defendant’s car. Fox was unconscious for a week with a severe fracture of the skull. It was doubtful whether he would be able to work this year.
Defendant’s car had headlights and the road was straight and well lighted. A test had been made of the refractors and they were visible at 35 yards. When this was pointed out to defendant, he replied that he did not see them.
Fox, who had to be assisted into court, gave similar evidence.
P.c. Savage said defendant had told him that just before the accident he was travelling at about 20 miles an hour. He saw nothing on the road before him but suddenly felt a bump. He jammed on his brakes, went on a few yards and pulled up. On getting out of his car he found a man and a bicycle lying in the gutter. Defendant had not given a definite reason for the accident.
Defendant, giving evidence, said he had been driving since 1923 without complaint. Just before the accident another vehicle came in the opposite direction and when ten yards from him its headlights were switched on. He was dazzled and applied his brakes but about that time he felt the bump. He did not pull up until he had travelled a further 42 feet because he was in a panic. He never saw the cyclist. He had suffered severe shock from the accident.