‘DRIVERS ARE THE PROBLEM’
Suggestions that a speed limit be imposed on the A19 as it runs through Wearside have sparked a lively debate among Echo readers.
Our latest Letter of the Week certainly got all of you talking about it after the writer called for a 50mph speed limit on the A19 from the Tyne Tunnel to the Tees flyover.
It said: “Towns around the A19, such as Seaham, become a car park on pile-up days in this area, as drivers and sat navs look for short cuts. Get the speed down.”
It comes as we are running our “Safe A19” campaign calling for a Government inquiry into safety on the busy carriageway.
Our online petition has so far gathered more than 800 signatures.
Many of you responded to calls for an A19 speed limit by posting on our Facebook page.
Stu Brown said: “People need to realise that you need to drive to the speed limit.
“When you are driving along at 45-50mph you force HGVs to overtake which in turn cause traffic build up.
Sarah Smiles: “There’s nothing wrong with the road it’s the same layout as any other dual carriageway.
“I travel this road five times a week and have done for 15 years.
“This road needs cameras and active policing with fines for the idiots who block the lanes.”
Matt Highley: “Crashes and accidents are due to bad drivers, just like you still get accidents on 30mph roads!”
Joanna Feeney: “There are many issues with the A19 that contribute to the regular problems – very short slip roads, right hand turns, agriculture vehicles at peak times.
“Adjusting the speed limit won’t address these.”
Charlotte McGinn: “I think the problems I’ve seen most often are people going too slowly down slip roads and sometimes even stopping at the bottom of them. People hogging the right lane and a lot of lane switching without leaving enough room.”
Paul Kerry: “It’s not the speed it’s the incompetence and lack of due care and attention behind the wheel.
“Vehicles, while driven, should be able to scramble every social media app on phones so they can’t be used, apart from calls.”
Wendy Walker: “Driving the national speed limit is not the issue on this road.
“Its the idiots who speed, under take, lane hop, drive with no lights on, don’t think about how weather affects roads! Need I go on?
“Morons just need to slow down and follow the highway code!”
To sign our petition, visit change.org and search for Safe A19.
“Crashes and accidents are due to bad drivers” MATT HIGHLEY