DO we believe the "one third" speed related accident figure supplied by organisations - who use statistics not open to public scrutiny, and who have a vested interest in promoting speed as a major cause of accidents - or do we believe the 4.3 per cent figure from a openly published analytical study by a respected independent transport research group?

Unlike Simon Taylor (You Say, August 13) who thinks the former is "fact," I am inclined to believe the latter.

Even if the one-third figure was anywhere near accurate, it still shows that by far the majority of accidents are not speed-related.

To tackle the real cause of most accidents would cost money, but of course, it is far more advantageous for the police to put a disproportionate emphasis on speed so they can continue to raise vast sums of revenue using speed cameras.

Unfortunately, what is a real "fact" Mr Taylor, is the backlash against the police for this increasing harassment of motorist for what are mostly accidental minor traffic violations.

And it is this "fact" that will have a real damaging effect on society which will not be offset by the negligible improvement (if any) in road safety.

M BRANDON, Worcester.