Following the inquest into the A23 multiple car accident (The Argus, April 13) I was saddened to read that speeding has caused another tragedy.
Contrary to those who say, "the vehicle went out of control", no vehicle, to my knowledge, has ever been in control.
No one ever says "the bullet killed the victim," because someone has to be in control of the gun first. The same logic has to be applied to driving.
In this tragic case, there was a young driver driving a high-powered car over which he failed to have full control but common sense has to overcome sentiment.
Young drivers should have to prove a minimum of five years' accident-free driving before being allowed to drive a high-powered car. This is already required of motorcyclists who are no more prone to speeding or crazy driving than motorists.
However, not every driver who exceeds a speed limit is necessarily a dangerous driver.
In a recent prosecution, a motorist was caught going about 130mph on a motorway but the judge agreed he was not driving recklessly, even though he was breaking the law.
This is the problem with speed bumps and cameras.
It has been recorded that in several areas, more accidents have occurred after a camera is installed than before - and the reason is obvious.
Drivers cannot give their full attention to the road ahead, to things around them and to the speedometer to see whether it may be a few miles an hour over the speed limit.
More than 70 per cent of all accidents occur in built-up areas, where the limit is already at its lowest realistic level.
It is drivers who kill, not speed.
-Harold E Parkin, Heathfield
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