SIR – I read with interest your article ‘Speeding reaches an epidemic level’ (Fleet NewsNet, February 10) and found the results most surprising.

I do, however, feel that Britain is overdue for a review of the current speed limits. I do not know why we cannot adopt similar rules to the Continent where, on the motorways, they have varying limits for different weather and road conditions.

I think this could even be extended to differing times of the day (motorways are inherently less busy during the night, for example).

I believe that the majority of drivers in Britain are well aware of the dangers of speeding and, where appropriate for safety reasons, adhere to the speed limits in place.

I think that the difficulty arises where drivers feel victimised and targeted, not for speed being a danger but for the unrealistic speeding level constraints and speed cameras.

Perhaps the emphasis should be shifted to the many drivers who are consistently still using mobile phones while driving, despite similar penalties to those of speeding.

Unfortunately, the speed cameras which detect the speeding motorist do not extend to those who continue this very dangerous practice – likewise the drink drivers or those driving under the influence of recreational drugs.

No doubt this debate will continue for many months to come and everyone will have their own view on the many issues involved.

Julie Barnes BLP UK, Doncaster

Many admit to speeding, most are not dangerous drivers

SIR – So, yet another survey and BANG! – speeding has reached an epidemic level. Quick, run for the hills.

Please, let’s get things into perspective. Just because someone ticks a box on a survey and admits to speeding, we all have visions of people driving on the motorway with their accelerator pedal pressed firmly to the floor. This just is not the case. Yes I admit it, I speed. But this does not mean I am roaring down the motorway with my hair on fire, tailgating or trying to eat fruit at the wheel.

This means that I sometimes drive at 80mph instead of 70mph if I feel it is safe to do so, as I am sure most of the other people who filled in this survey do (and if they say they don’t then they are lying).

So, before I’m thrown in jail while a black box is strapped to my car, may I suggest that what we actually need is a review of speed limits.

Most of the speed limits we have today were set in the 1960s and are simply not appropriate on today’s roads.

Start with that, then go after the dangerous drivers as speeding does not necessarily mean you are dangerous. And stop with the nonsense surveys.

Details supplied

Police should rethink fruits of their labour

SIR – I saw the recent story about a driver being fined for eating an apple. Whatever next – a ban on sneezing or blowing your nose when driving?

One would cause you to momentarily close your eyes and the other involves using a hand-held handkerchief.

Surely driving while smoking is more dangerous? Which would you prefer, an apple in your lap or a lighted cigarette?

Would the police effort be better employed not victimising drivers and alienating themselves from the public when they require assistance?

Apart from the ridiculous costs involved in prosecuting this driver to collect a £60 fine, the man-hours involved probably kept the officers involved from carrying our proper police duties.

Phillip Dean By email

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