IN 1965 a 70mph speed limit was introduced on motorways as a result of some bad accidents in fog, a kneejerk reaction from the then government. Since then some chief police officers backed a proposal to raise the limit to 80mph. Now they are going to enforce a limit lower than they approve of.

If 70mph is the acknowledged maximum 'safe speed' on a three-lane motorway then how can the same limit be safe on a non-motorway dual carriageway with crossings and junctions? It just doesn't make road safety sense. One of them, or both, are wrong.

There are many roads in Wiltshire which have a 30mph limit on them which is fair enough, but some are very wide and perhaps the limit should be higher. In other places we have a 40mph limit on a road where it is not safe to drive above 30mph because of bends and narrowness, like some of the road from the A350 to Steeple Ashton.

It is about time speed limits were reviewed both up and down by the road traffic engineers and then strictly enforced with speed cameras, and taking action against bad driving, like tailgating, jumping traffic lights and not signalling. That is the real way to improve road safety.

At the moment speed enforcement is all about collecting revenue, with speeding motorists usually getting a notice through the post and an invitation to pay a fixed penalty of £60 and three points. It is very easy for just one policeman with a speed camera van and little paperwork, to generate a lot of money.

P COLLINS

Retired Department of Transport Road Safety Officer

Hilperton