Peter,
Following the link you posted, there are in fact three letters. I'd be interested in people's comments on what the second writer said:
Quote:
ROADSIDE CASUALTIES: While Brunstrom heads “the filth in the pedestrians’ republic of north Wales” I have to wonder what carefree, car-less utopia Jasper Gerard represents.
He claims to distance himself from Jeremy Clarkson’s misguided advocacy of speed and grudgingly agrees with Brunstrom that “speeding does kill, particularly in built-up areas”. But the rest of the so-called interview is devoted to ridiculing Brunstrom and his stance on a problem that certainly affects us in this area.
Four young people were recently killed on a road in a Carmarthenshire village. The lack of effective speed control had long been a cause of concern to local residents.
We are not amused by Gerard’s oh-so-clever quips and feel that “the pedestrians’ republic” may not be such a bad idea after all. More power to the Brunstrom truncheon.
Jenni Downes,
Swansea
I did think that Jasper Gerard was sailing a little close to the wind with some of the comments he made. No doubt he's now on the shortlist of people to be interviewed for "hate".
And the third letter:
Quote:
CAR CRASH POLICING: I cannot think of a better way to alienate the majority of drivers who believe they are observing the limit, but because of speedometer error may marginally exceed 70mph or whatever. Similarly a downhill stretch of road may cause a temporary minor excess, soon corrected.
Here is the potential for the creation of massive ill-will, without any corresponding contribution to reducing road casualties.
Norman Rothe,
Fleet, Hampshire
Many of Brunstrom's Talivans are carefully positioned (a) where it's hard to spot them and/or (b) so that they can catch people at the bottom of a hill, where their speed is most likely to have drifted up a few mph and/or (c) just after an unexpected - and most likely inappropriate - reduction in the speed limit. And there are no specific advance warnings (blue sign with a camera and the speed limit) - just a forest of old-style black signs every mile or so.
Last time I went to the "pedestrian's republic" I didn't enjoy the drive at all. I was too terrified of creeping above the speed limit - or being rear end shunted by an impatient driver - to get any pleasure out of the driving experience. But at least I didn't get any more points on my licence.
Most speedos overread by up to 10%. Mine doesn't. So perhaps insurers should load premiums for people whose speedos are accurate, as they are more likely to be done by speed cameras.
Brian