Speed traps

Sir, The Edwardian motorist had to contend with Bobbies with whistles and stopwatches jumping out of hedges. Judging by a police “cameo” I recently witnessed nothing has changed. I was travelling east on the A303 in Somerset just to the east of Sparkford early after lunch when traffic was very light and conditions were ideal for speed with safety.

I saw, in reverse order, amongst landscaping trees a hatless policeman operating a radar handgun, about a mile further on in a layby two or three patrol cars and crews, and a mile further west another patrol car appearing to be chasing some “criminal” speeder. In short, three or four cars and between five and ten officers were engaged in trying to convict motorists when there was no likelyhood of speed being a danger.

I respect sensible speed limits to protect pedestrians and built-up areas, but what I saw confirms my belief that Police only attempt to enforce speed limits when and where the speed is not a real danger. If such costly resources as I saw are deployed in this way it is hardly surprising the crime rate rises and rises.

John Stickland,

Dorset.