I CANNNOT pretend to even start to comprehend David Jones's feelings at the loss of his daughter Natalie to a speeding motorist (Road group slams Top Gear car star, April 14).

However we have a disproportionate response to speeding in the UK, driven by irrational statements and policy from organisations such as Transport Group 2000.

There is total justification in reducing speed limits to 20 mph in high-density urban areas and administering those limits by speed cameras.

However, the reality is that residential areas remain the territory of "boy racers" and speed cameras are often used just as a means of raising revenue on stretches of road that represent little risk of injury.

As a 40,000-miles-a-year driver I am well aware that the greatest risks occur with drivers leaving insufficient distance from the vehicle in front and overtaking in criminally-dangerous locations. The use of speed cameras has reduced the quantity of police patrols, leaving appalling driving to proliferate.

Jeremy Clarkson's style is one of politically-incorrect irreverence but he is one of the few people to continue to point out the nonsense of a system which proliferates a further tax on the motorist and has little to do with road safety. Transport Group 2000 and road safety campaigners in Radcliffe would do the cause of safe motoring a great service if they understood that distinction.

IAN BEVAN