WHY do the police treat motorists so differently to pedestrians?

That was what a York man was asking today after a child ran into the road and into his wife's car.

John Simpson, of Church Road, wrote to The Press following the incident, which he said happened because the boy's mother was not paying attention to what he was doing. He said: "The mother was looking elsewhere and did not have control of him. She then picked up the child and ran off to get help leaving my wife shocked."

It is understood the child was not seriously injured.

Mr Simpson said he took his wife to the police station where she had to wait for 45 minutes in a "dingy" waiting room after just completing a shift at the hospital.

He added: "She was worried sick about the child, but when I tried to give my contribution to the investigating officer I was told I was obstructing' him."

The police officer told Mr Simpson that the accident had not been caused by negligence on anyone's part, but Mr Simpson has questioned what would have happened if his wife's car had mounted the pavement.

Mr Simpson also said the child's family received a visit from the police officer.

He added: "Why do the police treat motorists so differently from pedestrians regarding road accidents?

"Motorists can be fined on the spot for momentary mistakes and even innocent victims have to attend police stations."

A police spokesman said that anyone driving a car which was in an accident was required to satisfy the police they were insured and were qualified to drive.

He added: "A young child does not have insurance or a licence to show. What a child does have is probably a very salutary lesson, in this case, and a parent who has had a heart-stopping experience and you would hope they would learn from it."