Commercial Motor’s investigation on speed cameras in the 25 January issue has certainly gripped many readers wanting to express their views. It looked at whether speed cameras reduce accident rates, or whether they were just revenue raising exercises. A concrete answer was impossible to fine, as there are so many other factors which need to be taken into account when analysing statistics – increased vehicle safety, increase in traffic volume, speed camera site are only one small section from an entire road, etc.
Time to open up the debate:
Whilst the investigation was aimed at speed cameras themselves, the issue of speed limits has come to the forefront of the discussion. From the letters received in response to the piece, it becomes clear that people have very different views on the issue.
Kevin Buck, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex says:
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?
If speed was as dangerous as they claim, Germany’s death and serious injury 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 lane discipline in all European countries is something this country should be envious of, aspire to and enforce.
DS Boyes, from Leeds, disagrees:
I had a MK2 Jaguar 3.8 m.o.d car before the 70mph limit was introduced, and often drove at 100mph up the A1. Even with disk brakes all round, it took a lot more stopping than from 70mph in an emergency, and you never know when one will happen?
Many people in Germany today are lobbying for an overall 75mph limit on their roads in an attempt to cut the death toll. I can however concur with him on lane discipline, but this is down to superior training, and certainly the German driving test was always stricter than ours.
We hope the debate will be ongoing and informative. Please tell Roadtransport.com and its readers your views on the matter.