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Accidents are caused by drivers not speed
Page 30
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I READ with great interest your article surrounding the use of speed cameras and socalled 'excessive speed' (CM 25 January). As an advocate of appropriate high speed, I would like to convey a few points that the 'anti-speed freaks' would rather ignore.
The 70mph limit was introduced at the time when the average man drove a Ford Anglia. This was a car with a 35hp engine, drum brakes and no safety features: no seat-belts, no crumple zones, no air bags, no collapsible steering column. no ABS — need I go on?
Even since the introduction of the first speed camera in 1992, the level of car safety and technology has improved dramatically.Thus if no cameras had been put in place, we would have seen a proportional reduction in deaths and serious injuries relative to traffic growth anyway.
Has no one travelled abroad? We have the lowest national speed limit on the Continent. As one who has covered many motorway miles driving across the Continent and particularly Germany. speed is part of the normal driving experience.
If speed was as dangerous as they claim, Germany's death and serious injuries statistics would stand out like a sore thumb — but they don't. Why? Because we have been indoctrinated to believe that speed alone is the major factor in most accidents and must be avoided at all costs.
The average driver in this country is not accustomed to driving at high speed or, more importantly, dealing with others who do.A prime example of this is the British phenomenon of the CLOD (Centre Lane Only Driver) which is almost unique to this country and very obvious the moment you arrive back in this country and get stuck behind the first one 500 yards after leaving the terminal.
The lane discipline in all European countries is something this country should he envious of, aspire to and enforce.
The Canadian authorities provided evidence of low speeds causing accidents some time ago. Canada had the 'double nickel' 55mph limit for all trucks, but after research, they increased the limit to 65mph and found a reduction in the amount of accidents involving LGVs with particular attention drawn to the reduction in drivers falling asleep at the wheel because they were more attentive and aware of the higher speeds at which they were travelling. It increased their attention threshold, which is the principle by which Germany operates.
What concerns me is that we are about to get the 56mph speed limit by stealth thanks to the European Parliament. By 2012 all CVs will be limited to this speed,so any thought of travelling faster whilst stuck behind BobThe Builder in his white van on the outside lane will remain just that — a thought!
Speed alone does not kill.Appropriate high speed is perfectly safe; go and drive in Germany or the rest of Europe. It is uneducated,poorly trained, inattentive had drivers ignorant of what other road users are doing who generally cause the accidents.
Kevin Buck