No one has the right to break speed limit
SO once again motorists are up in arms because someone has dared to suggest that they be fined for exceeding the speed limit. Whilst it may be draconian to fine someone for travelling one mile per hour above a 70mph limit; the same cannot be said for those travelling at 30mph. Speedometers may not be perfect and likewise the instrument used to measure the speed of vehicles but they are not out by ten per cent, however a number of motorists add the ten per cent error to the speed limit and drive at or above that figure. What motorists seem to forget is that the limits set by the law are the maximum that a vehicle is allowed to travel at, not the minimum. There is no rule against driving a little below the limit. The limits are set to try to keep the maximum number of road users as safe as is possible, there is little difference in journey times when the limit is reduced by ten or 20mph. If motorists feel they are being used as ‘cash cows’ then they should stop breaking the law. The road network is paid for from public taxation and is not funded by the Vehicle Excise Licence and therefore it is for the benefit of everyone, not just motorists; pedestrians, cyclists, horses, farm vehicles etc all have an equal rights to the highways. No one has the right to travel faster than is deemed safe by law, the only drivers that get ‘caught’ by speed cameras are criminals. Speeding motorists are criminals, very dangerous ones, it is time to treat them with the same disdain as drunken ones. What is needed is higher fines for breaking the limit, which could then be used to pay for the extra manpower required to police the rules. Currently Coventry seems to be a free for all for motorists with nowhere near enough being caught to provide a deterrent. Joe Reynolds Styvechale
City needs above average players
HERE we go again, Coventry City sell one of their best young prospects, Ben Stevenson, this time to Wolves.
They loan him out to Colchester, one of City’s rivals in Division Two, then he is allowed to play against City later on this month. Of course, he scores his debut last Saturday for Colchester.
Are we running a Fred Carney Circus at this club? Of course, City lose to Forest Green, one of the also-rans in this league.
We all knew we needed reinforcements in the January window, at least two forwards. We get the same old cliche from City management – “We tried to sign this one and that one” – of course to no avail. What happened to the days of Jimmy Hill, when we went out and signed above average players? Carr, Hunt, Hudson, Blyth, Ferguson, Wallace, Humphries, Rees? I ask you, supporters are getting done by a company who don’t seem to care about this once-great club – SISU. Andy McDonald Tile Hill
Sad to hear of Alan Moore’s passing
I WAS deeply saddened to notice in the obituary columns (Feb 2) that Alan Moore had passed away.
Alan and I were colleagues at Massey-Ferguson and in local soccer (1966-85). Alan Moore graced the football pitches of Coventry and district with his prowess as a centreforward and centre-half with his beloved Folley Lane Old Boys FC.
It was always a delight to watch his application to the game and its laws, and to hear his encouragement to fellows. The sport of local soccer is the poorer for his passing.
Alan is now reunited with his main love, Dianne. And on behalf of local football and Massey-Ferguson colleagues, I offer sincere sympathy and warm regards to his family.
God bless, Alan and Dianne. Geoff Pears Corley
Conducting public debate with respect
I AGREE with Councillor David Skinner (Feb 6) that people did not act in a mature way during the disturbance at Jacob Rees Mogg’s appearance at a university.
He is also right in stating the importance of courtesy in an adult public debate, which made me think of our own full council meetings.
Cllr Skinner goes on to say we need to know the views of others to arrive at a balanced judgement on complex issues, locally and nationally, and freedom of speech is the basis of true democracy.
How right you are Cllr Skinner, please shout those words from the gallery in the council chamber so as the ‘Reds’ hear you.
I don’t think they like truth put in front of them, they do not seem to like debating certain issues and I feel they become vocal to the point of insult. Does that not show a similar, sad mentality? More worrying is these are mature adults running our city.
Unless people have the chance to talk and air freedom of speech in our democracy, sadly we will encounter more of this shouting and unsavoury behaviour – not only in the council confines but wherever any large numbers congregate.
There are ways of addressing people in a polite and respectful manner, furthermore becoming interested, involved and treating people with respect. That should be in the councillors’ code of conduct. Sandra Camwell Keresley
Beautiful voice for Eurovision 2018
OUR entry for Eurovision, Surie, has a beautiful voice.
She has great looks and very much deserves to do well. The song is great and deserves a top-three place. Ian Harris Radford