I WAS utterly disgusted to read in the BEN that Jack Straw's chauffeur is not to be prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit on the M5 (reported speed to be in excess of 100 mph).

Driving at this speed creates hazards for other road users and the fact that the driver is being let off sends wrong signals to other road users. Jack Straw, who is the Home Secretary and is in overall charge of police matters, must have known that his chauffeur was exceeding the speed limit excessively. Is this one law for some and one law for others?

There appears to be more prominence given to accidents on other forms of transport than on roads in this country. For example, the recent railway tragedy at Hatfield. Relatives of the victims of that accident must be devastated. Subsequently, following this accident, investigations took place as to the cause and remedies quite rightly put in hand to make the railways safer, not only at Hatfield but throughout the railway system.

According to the Today programme (Radio 4) more deaths occurred on roads throughout the UK during the 24 hours leading up to the Hatfield tragedy.

In the BEN (Saturday, November 25) it was reported that five teenagers were killed in a road accident in the Midlands. I think road accidents must be taken more seriously, as highlighted in recent editions of the BEN.

The number of fatal accidents in the Bolton area is likely to rise this year as compared with last year. Is it not time for the introduction of road calming measures, particularly at accident black spots, and for stiffer penalties for drivers who contravene safety legislation, with the aim of reducing carnage and making roads safer for all concerned?

K E Fletcher

(Member of Roadpeace)

Turnerford Close

Egerton

Bolton