CATHERINE Barry (Letters, Apil 14), in her self-serving way, tried to give the impression that she is a misunderstood law-abiding citizen merely trying to put across the other side of the argument regarding speed cameras.

The argument should not be about whether they are placed, but that they are placed in areas where they will provide a deterrent to speeding motorists and so save lives.

We agree that bereaved relatives cannot be objective in such an emotive debate, but to use that as an argument surely misses the point. Laws are not enacted to protect the minority. Lets take her points one by one

Since the introduction of speed cameras road deaths have, indeed, remained static. If, however, we were to take the total of road deaths as a percentage of a dramtacially increasing number of road users, then we would find that they have fallen. This is an example of the way in which figures can be misleading.

The cost-benefit basis? How much is a life worth? We would be unwilling to put a price on our lives or that of our loved ones, and we are sure Ms Barry would agree with us.

If a speed limit is in place and that limit has been broken, then the law has been broken. The danger comes when we start to think in terms of just how badly someone has broken those laws; a kind of sliding scale.

We agree that road layout and design does have a big influence, but is Ms Barry really suggesting we start tearing down and rebuilding our towns? We must learn from our past and look to future improvements. Incidentally, speed cameras, roundabouts and speed humps would all be a part of this.

Ms Barry says speed may not be the main cause of accidents. In built-up urban areas, where the young and the vulnerable are most at risk, speed is the main contributory factor in accidents.

Finally, we do not agree with the use of the term "lynch mob mentality" in describing the efforts of pressure groups representing bereaved parents and concerned members of the public. We prefer to think of them as the moral voice of the outraged public putting all their energy into pressing for change to benefit all of us.

MIKE and GILL SMITH