DAVID SEVERS’ mention of the use of speed cameras instead of a friendly word for minor traffic offences (D&S Times, Apr 22) reminds me of an incident many years ago.

I was driving on the outskirts of Darlington slightly faster than the law allowed when I passed a police car in a layby.

The officer followed me and required me to stop. He said: “When other motorists see me sitting there and you go past speeding, they expect me to chase you and give you a good telling off” (the word he used was more industrial and expressive than that), “so that’s what I am going to do.”

I was then given a few words of warning, but I appreciated the officer’s good humour and my respect for the police increased.

Jim Whitton, Darlington