Speed appears to cloud judgment

With regard to the crack-down on speeders in last week’s Local, I think many members of the public, besides congratulating the police on catching more than 1,700 offenders, will be surprised that it took a week to catch such a relatively small number. That figure would have been about right for 3 days in Main Street, Peasmarsh and Military Road, Rye where the 30 mph signs may just as well be melted down for scrap.

And now, the attitude of the motorists who treat traffic laws with contempt has been strengthened to an extent by the suggestion by the Norfolk Police Commissioner, that all speed limits should be scrapped and drivers should be allowed to drive as fast as they like on Motorways and main roads.

Stephen Bett has since withdrawn his remarks and has apologised, but is the 3rd Police Commissioner in as many weeks to show a lack of judgement in his post.

Your report goes on to say that some of the offenders became eligible for a “speed awareness” course as though they had won a prize. To my way of thinking this is about as much of a deterrent as awarding 100 lines to a yob who has smashed a shop window.

A visit to the “speed awareness” web site and having read some of the “client’s” comments, one of which said “The course was much more enjoyable than I had anticipated- I was expecting a telling off!” says too much about the softly softly approach to a problem that blights so many lives in so many ways, whether it be excessive noise or a tragic and possibly avoidable death.

Had the 1,700 offenders each been awarded a winning ticket of £60, this would have paid the salary of our local Police Commissioner and Advisor/Deputy for a whole year with a nice bit over for expenses.

Harry Kennard,

Chestnut Cottage, Main Street, Peasmarsh