YOUR editorial (LET, June 30) on the introduction of 20mph limits to all residential streets only touches the top of the iceberg, in that all the blame for the injuries to children is placed, as usual, at the right foot of the motorist.

During the 1950s, 60s and 70s, the Government used to finance very well produced road safety programmes which were shown on both the BBC and ITV during peak viewing times.

Traffic then was much lighter than at present and it served the dual purpose of educating both children and adults.

The advent of the motorway system began in the 1960s and, as I seem to remember, clips were shown daily on alternate channels, ensuring that a majority saw the correct way to enter and exit a motorway, plus lane discipline. The Chancellor has received more than £30 billion from fuel duty and VAT in the last 12 months, so I believe that something in the region of £20 million could be justifiably used to begin proper road safety education for everyone in the country.

New road markings and signage seem to appear on an almost monthly basis, with hardly a two-line explanation in local newspapers and not even that in the nationals.

If a child runs out from between two parked vehicles directly into the path of a vehicle, there isn't much difference in the outcome, whether the vehicle happened to be driving at 20 or 30 miles an hour.

More education results in fewer children ending up under the wheels of vehicles.

The question is: will the Chancellor release some of his 'war chest' in the cause of saving young lives?

H ROBINSON (Mr), Juniper Court, Accrington.