“ACTION call to cut speeding-related deaths” is an emotional headline (The National, November 20). It is misleading and is based on questionable statistics.
A new analysis by Brake released to coincide with Road Safety Week found that exceeding the speed limit was a factor in 291 crashes in Scotland last year. I suggest that Brake should produce the evidence to back up that claim.
“Studies have shown that driving at 20mph, as opposed to 30mph , prevents 20 per cent of road traffic casualties”. No doubt this is a true statement, however driving at 0mph would prevent 100 per cent of road traffic casualties. There is a need for a detached debate on the risk/benefit analysis of speed limits. The productivity of the country depends on the free movement of traffic on Scotland’s road network. We need measures to eliminate bottlenecks including structural design flaws and breakdowns which can cause havoc during rush hours.
We need careful consideration of all factors causing road traffic accidents. These include better signage, better driver education and better road design where pedestrians are separated from vehicular traffic.Any driver should be able to stop within their line of sight. If the driver isn’t paying attention and focused on the task on hand, no artificial speed limit will prevent accidents. The money spent on the average speed camera system would be better spent on driver education, better highway design and designated traffic officers to deal with unexpected problems on Scotland’s busy roads.
John Black
Helensburgh
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