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Speeding in itself isn't dangerous it depends on the driver's skill
Page 26
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A QUOTE FROM YOUR Dff spokesperson (CM 25 January):"A vehicle travelling at high speeds is more likely to cause an accident than one travelling at low speeds."
While I agree that this quote is true in urban areas,I do not think it applies outside 30mph limits — as I'm sure Paul Smith would agree, along with the vast majority of motorists on the road (whether professional or not).
Let's take a few examples. LGVs at 40 on a single-lane carriageways; how many times have we seen dangerous overtaking manoeuvres by frustrated car drivers? That reminds me, what happened to the campaign that Commercial Mowr began? It has not been forgotten!
The old fart travelling at 40 on a single-lane carriageway; again the cause of much frustration with the added danger of sudden slowing for no apparent reason.
The country lane; high speed is not an issue, but excessive speed for the conditions does play a part. Be it car or truck, the speed limit is too high for the road, but as the motorist is below the posted speed limit, his/her speed is perfectly safe —or so they may think.
My point is very simple. Speeding in itself is not dangerous.The actions and driving ability of each driver is the key problem. Add to this a non-patient attitude and a BMW badge and you have an accident waiting to happen regardless of speed, whether legally 'safe' or not.
Compulsory driver training for non-professionals would play a big part in road safety.We know what we're doing but we don't know what the next idiot that passes us is going to do.
As a final point, a speed camera placed on a single-lane carriageway is perfectly able to detect a truck passing at over 40 —as the (now expired) three points on my licence proved.They have done since September 2002, when I was caught by one in the middle of the night on an empty A303.
Richie Boyle via e-mail