I REFER to the front page article of the Cambs Times dated October 24 about the safety campaign by Graham Chappell. My own experience in this regard is of the North Bank Road, near Whittlesey. I have used this road for the past 18 years, mainly for my jou

I REFER to the front page article of the Cambs Times dated October 24 about the safety campaign by Graham Chappell.

My own experience in this regard is of the North Bank Road, near Whittlesey. I have used this road for the past 18 years, mainly for my journey to and from work.

The idiot drivers that I have encountered in this time are unbelievable. I have seen excessive speed and overtaking with no regard as to the road conditions, or as if the road ahead is clear. Many just scrape back in, avoiding a head-on collision by sheer luck not judgement.

It can be quite frightening at times and, despite all their impatience, it is quite usual to find yourself a few cars behind these people who, despite dicing with death, have not really got any further forward.

However, I would not like to see barriers on this road. They would make me feel trapped.

As well as not thinking they are a good idea, I feel that the main problem is not being addressed and that is the fact that just about all accidents could be avoided if everyone cuts their speed and didn't take stupid risks.

Surely some sort of deterrent such as speed restrictions and cameras, or some sort of traffic calming, could be discussed.

I understand that some of these roads probably could do with some sort of safety measures, but in my opinion it is almost always bad driving that causes accidents, and unfortunately the innocent parties often pay the price.

SUZANNE BLOWS

Via email

I WOULD be very disappointed if Cambridgeshire County Council succumbed to the campaign to put road safety barriers along Fenland drains.

It is not the roads or the drains which are dangerous; it is the people who drive the cars who create the danger.

Why is it that when people get in charge of a car they tend to think they can drive as fast as they like? They seem to think that their seconds of time and convenience are more important than anything else.

They forget that they are in charge of a potentially lethal machine. They take risks and far too often end up killing other people and sometimes themselves.

Then our public authorities spend thousands of pounds making roads faster, knocking down houses and building roads through the countryside to reduce any inconvenience that might irritate a person driving a car.

And now our MP is urging us to give even more public money to protect drivers from their own stupidity. Instead of spending money on safety barriers we should be spending it on driver education, speed restriction devices, public transport and local services.

We must stop thinking that driving is a right. We should only allow people to become drivers when they demonstrate they will always take responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of everybody else.

HILARY CHIVALL

Church Street

Whittlesey

I WRITE with regard to the campaign that Graham Chappell is taking to the Government.

My husband was killed on the North Bank Road, Whittlesey, on December 23, 2005. He was 53 years old.

At the inquest (May 11, 2006) it was said that there was nothing wrong with the car or the road. The only conclusion reached was that, sadly, my husband closed his eyes for a few seconds and unfortunately this was on a corner. He ended up in the river.

This happened in the early hours of the morning after he had finished a night shift.

My point is that we can go on saying that people should take more care, and I would agree to that statement to a point. But sometimes accidents are not always caused through dangerous or reckless driving.

How many more people have to die on these roads before some action is taken? Talk is cheap - life isn't.

Maybe if there had been some barriers on that day my husband would still be here today and my life would not be so very empty.

I think it's a brilliant idea.

SUE HOOTON

Via email