I COULD not agree more with Cllr Peter Morris on the subject of positioning of speed limits.

Yes, I am another previously unconvicted driver nicked by the trap going up Marlow Hill.

It was the middle of the day and so no school children were around, and there was good clear, dry weather, and hardly any traffic.

There I was doing exactly 40mph, just 50 yards in front of a 40mph sign.

Of course this is technically a breach of the speed limit, but as Cllr Morris points out, the current position of the speed limit sign allows police resources to be wasted by nicking safe drivers who are presenting no threat to other road users of any kind. It was 36 years of totally conviction-free motoring gone, and for what purpose?

If the sole argument for this particular speed limit is the existence of schools, in America there are lower speed limit signs which come into force with flashing lights at the times when children are entering and leaving the area.

At other times, the limit reverts to normal. Why can't we adopt a similar approach and allow drivers to use the road at a sensible speed the rest of the time?

In any event, there are higher speed limits in operation in far more dangerous situations.

I regularly drive through North Dean which has a 40mph limit. Last time I took a note of my speed as between 30 and 35mph throughout, since in my opinion it is not safe to drive any faster because of the narrow road,numerous house entrances, children, dogs, pedestrians and horse riders. And, of course, speed is not the sole factor in road safety.

I also make a regular 400-mile round trip including a long stretch of motorway, during which I am stunned by examples of appalling and dangerous driving. Isn't it time that driving at 70mph six feet from the vehicle in front became an offence? I am sick of being tailgated at high speeds in awful weather conditions because wait for it I do not speed on motorways. So come on Thames Valley Police, stop alienating the thinking, reasonable drivers by concentrating your valuable resources on soft targets and get some public respect back by hitting on the real dangerous drivers and criminals.

Like other correspondents on this subject, my house has been broken into twice and possessions stolen, my car has been vandalised twice and similarly broken into, I have paid all my insurance excesses andendured spiralling premiums as a result and what did the police do to help? Guess.

Mary Middleton (Address supplied)