Why not use speed limiters?

Editor,

The rules for fighting Covid-19 are determined by scientific/medical data, says the government.

The biggest rule breakers, however, with an average 2,500 deaths a year since the end of WW2, are lawless drivers.

Accordingly, as well as the rules, ‘Stay at Home, and stay 2 metres apart, we should also have ‘Stick to Speed Limits, They Are Maximum Not Minimum’, and ‘Refrain from Using Car Horns’.

Having a garden, i.e. access to nature, peace and tranquillity, can safeguard mental health.

Unfortunately, my neighbours, and my wife and I, (all over 70) live on a busy main road, in sight/sound of a vehicle MOT/repair business, (which specialises in ‘supped-up’ cars); an ‘Open 24 Hours’ petrol station, and a mini-roundabout.

Consequently we rarely enjoy peace/tranquility.

With half-a-mile of clear/straight road, cars and motorbikes regularly exceed the 30mph speed limit, and I’ll stake my life on it, 60mph-plus is common place: the noise from big-bore exhausts, and super-bikes (0-60mph in under 3 seconds), says it all.

Clearly, a significant number of ‘speed freaks/petrol heads’, are taking advantage of ‘empty’ roads.

Some, even ‘burn rubber’ when leaving the petrol station.

Then we have drivers going over the mini-roundabout, as opposed to round it, meaning they don’t have to slow down. 

Hence, we get no end of aggressive horn blasting, due to near-misses, (and crashes), because of failure to recognise ‘right of way’.

Add to this, ‘social’ horn-blasting when drivers spot friends.

In short, it all amounts to acts of selfishness, which undermines all the acts of kindness.

And, as well as raising blood pressure, its raises global warming, and amounts to burning more than a fair share of fossil fuel.

Also, while every ‘speed freak’ has ample Personal Protection Equipment, millions of front line workers have none!

Where a vaccine will beat Covid-19, speed limiters will beat ‘speed freaks’ and road death!

Allan Ramsay

The views expressed are those of the author of the letter and not those of Oldham Chronicle.