Madam, - The recent article on Gatso speed cameras and the adverse response from some motorists to their use was very one-sided (Motors, December 10th).
It seemed to be arguing that police and local local councils were installing these units to catch hapless motorists who were "just" running a red light or "exceeding" the speed limit and that the real objective was to generate revenues for.
What a load of double-think! The simple solution to the revenue argument is for motorists to comply with the traffic regulations and thus generate no speeding fine revenues! When motorists object to these applications of modern technology they are simply saying they want the "freedom" to flout the law without the risk of being caught in the act by a highly efficient and cost-effective gadget.
The article also made the point that the units should be installed only at safety "hot spots" and should be so well marked and signposted that there would be no risk of misbehaviour. Motorists should not require the constant threat of detection to determine their driving behaviour.
According to the statistics produced by Washington DC police the percentage of vehicles speeding aggressively in the camera-controlled zones has fallen from 31 per cent of all vehicles to fewer than 7 per cent. Traffic deaths have fallen nearly 30 per cent from 71 to 50. Red light running has fallen 59 per cent, with 22,500 fewer tickets issued each month. These figures make an incontrovertible case for the cameras.
I congratulate the police and other safety authorities for tackling this issue in this manner and encourage them to expand the system throughout the state - because until the maverick fringe of the motoring public are brought to heel and forced to slow down the carnage on the roads will continue. - Yours, etc.,
LIAM KEILTHY, Granville Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.