Hi all

Just jumping on my soapbox a little. We have recently had a couple of relatively serious accidents on a road near by my house, and as per usual, a number of the "Concerned" local residents are calling for the speed limit to be dropped to 40mph. This drives me nuts! For a number of reasons not least because it is part of this idiotic nanny-stateism, and also I find leads to people completely disregarding this idiotic limit, and then the more important 30 zone that they then cut through full tilt!

In an attempt to head off the nimbys at the pass, I have sent the following letter to the council in the hope that there is at least on letter in the "Dont put another speed limit on our roads" pile!

Letter is below. Tell me if you think I have gone mad, or if you agree with me!

Dear Sir/ Madam

In the first instance, I hope that this is the correct address for this correspondence. If not, then please accept my apologies, and I would be grateful if you could confirm so in order that I may redirect it appropriately.

I am a resident of Starcross, and I have been for almost all of my life, having lived here to date for 30 years. Working in Exeter, I need to make regular use of the A379 road, as detailed above. As you are no doubt aware, parts of the road have been already been subjected to reduced speed limits, particularly between Kenton and Starcross, and also between Starcross and Dawlish.

Whilst I accept that I am not an expert on such matters, based on my own observations, I would suggest that this has not helped at all. There is a culture of introducing too many speed restrictions where they are not warranted, and as a result, this has led to widespread disregard of these newly imposed speed limits as well as the much more important 30mph zones to the villages, which is of significantly greater concern.

I am aware that there has recently been two serious incidents on the road, but I am fearful that this will lead to the rushed and ill thought out additional speed restrictions that will simply have no effect. It is my understanding that the majority of accidents are caused by carelessness, and not by speed. By simply reducing the speed restrictions on major routes to 40mph, this will simply lead to greatly increased frustration by regular and competent road users such as myself, and will in my opinion prevent any improvement in the number of accidents on this road. I would further suggest that notwithstanding these recent incidents, the number of major accidents on this road that are directly caused by speed are very low.

To sum up, I am hopeful that you will use your good judgement to ensure that common sense prevails, and that the vocal few are not allowed to bully the Council into arbitrarily reducing the speed limit on this road. Please allow people to understand the importance of speed limits, and please do not dilute them by placing them on any stretch of road that is available.

I am grateful for your time on this matter.

Yours Sincerely


James Jacobs