With regard to Ian Hunt's "Need for speed" comment (Letters, April 5), he speaks as one who is technically knowledgeable but what he says is total hogwash.

He doesn't even seem to know the difference between speed and acceleration versus torque and power required.

I have driven two cars in this country and many in the USA that have cruise control fitted.

Simplified, cruise control allows the driver to pre-select a speed at which to travel and "lock" the vehicle to that speed.

Of course this system is mostly suited to motorways but can also be used in urban areas.

In the USA, young drivers in particular are encouraged to use it, as it helps to remind them at what speed they're travelling.

On the two cars I've driven in the UK, one was a Renault with a manual gearbox and the other is my present vehicle, a Mercedes with an automatic gearbox.

Both of these vehicles have a speed restriction device as part of the cruise control.

You "dial up" your desired maximum speed and drive with all of the power and acceleration normally available to the vehicle.

You can even floor it when the dialled speed is reached. The accelerator pedal is electronically restricted, preventing the vehicle from higher speed.

However, should the need for extra power or more speed arise, you can push past a heavy spring with the accelerator, making the vehicle react as though the restrictor is not there.

The point about this system is that you are well aware you have pushed past the spring - it is quite heavy to operate - and it is quite uncomfortable to use in that way for any length of time.

Heaven forbid the Government should want to nanny us any further but it would even be possible to have the device set itself to the maximum speed for a particular road and, of course, it could be limited overall to the national maximum of 70mph.

  • Alan K Baker, Fairfield Close, Shoreham