Folly of neglecting burglary while fining drivers for going 1mph too fast

SIR – The police are to do away with the “technical allowance” in speeding offences, and prosecute drivers even 1mph over the limit (report, August 20).

When will the police be bringing similar zeal to their duties in respect of shoplifting, vehicle crime, burglary, rural crime, criminal damage, drug offences, electoral offences, anti-social behaviour, or even – as regards traffic law – careless driving?

Sidmouth, Devon

SIR – The suggestion by Anthony Bangham, the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, that drivers should be fined for exceeding the speed limit by just 1mph is not based on reality.

Mass-produced items such as car speedometers are usually made to within 5 to 10 per cent accuracy. Even the police speedometers are not absolutely accurate and need to be recalibrated regularly. Professor Rudolf Hanka

Wolfson College, Cambridge SIR – I confess I sometimes exceed the speed limit; I prefer not to watch the speedometer, but to monitor the road ahead and distance from the vehicle in front.

London N10

SIR – Your report that “motorists face being fined £100 for driving just 1mph above the speed limit, to clamp down on dangerous driving” is extraordinary.

How can it be “dangerous” to be just 1 mph over the limit? Should a driver be so obsessed with staring at the speedometer rather than taking in the road situation?

My father was a magistrate who brought me up to respect the law. Unfortunately at a time when, as reported recently, a very small proportion of burglaries are investigated, this serves only to undermine respect for the police even more.

Philip St L Morris

Sway, Hampshire SIR – I have no problem with fining drivers for speeding if it really will save lives. But surely there are higher priorities in dealing with greater dangers such as the use of mobile phones, tailgating or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Speeding motorists can more easily be caught by cameras (and are a cash cow), whereas actual humans are needed to catch other transgressors.

Hayling Island, Hampshire

SIR – In London a 20mph limit is becoming the norm. However, few drivers seem to stick under the limit. This results in, at worst, impatient drivers making dangerous overtaking moves on crowded streets and others hooting aggressively or shouting.

Few buses, taxis, Royal Mail or council vehicles adhere to the 20mph limit. How can our very few policemen enforce it?

London SW4