Police speed trap catches driver

The trial took place today of Captain Webb, Commandant of the Royal Hospital, who was caught speeding on Morehampton Road, Dublin. Webb was caught when two police constables used stop watches to time the driver over one fifth of a mile. When the car passed the first policeman he sent a signal to his colleague who started the stop watch, and then stopped it once the car had passed him. Webb's speed was recorded at 30mph, and he was duly stopped and charged.

In court Webb, who was supported by his passenger of the day, Sir Timothy O'Brien, argued that the stop watch had been started late, and that he had not been speeding. After a protracted discussion over how such stopwatch timing works, the court found against Webb and he was fined £1.