Sir, – Re your article "Invited to help tackle speeding cars" (D&S report Mar 6).

Just what do North Yorkshire Police expect to achieve by using this approach?

Excessive and inappropriate speed is a selfish act and one that figures significantly as a factor in fatal and serious injury collisions.

Presumably the letters which are to be sent out will be addressed to the registered keeper of the vehicle who may or may not be the same person as the driver – a somewhat pointless exercise.

What this type of scheme really amounts to is an admission that North Yorkshire Police in common with many other forces have done away with Road Traffic Departments staffed with dedicated specialists.

Mrs Mulligan's research shows the degree of concern among the public and for her to say that the scheme "is a significant

development, particularly for people living in villages and other rural locations" seems to me to say, you are unlikely to see a real police presence in these areas.

Community speed watch, no matter how well intentioned the volunteers are, will not impose any penalty, it will not lead to the disclosure of further offences, it will not diligently question the occupants of vehicles nor search those vehicles nor do many more things that an experienced bobby would do.

Those at the top can blame cutbacks and the pressures of the terrorist threat but the reality is that more people in this country will die or have their lives ruined by inappropriate speed, dangerous driving and drink driving than through terrorist acts.

TIMOTHY WOOD

Guisborough.