breasts... 283

Yes, but I get the impression that these days we're not training drivers to judge conditions accurately and control their vehicles accordingly. IMHO this is a very serious omission, and we are paying for it with casualty figures much higher than they need be.

We have a maximum speed limit on dual carriageways and motorways of 70 mph and this is deemed to be an acceptable speed in good conditions, but let me give two examples from my own experiences in potentially difficult conditions.

1. M180 one afternoon about two years ago, road was wet following a period of exceptionally heavy rain. I elected to drive in lane 1 at about 40 mph well back from the HGV in front of me, just keeping him in sight. In the very bad visibility due to the spray I judged this to be a safe course of action.

2. The A66 westbound at about 0700 one morning about a year ago. Again a wet road with light rainfall, but very good visibility this time. I elected to drive at between 100 and 110 mph for a few miles on the dual carriageway in the Bowes Moor area. The road at that time was almost deserted, apart from the very occasional HGV. I slowed to about 80 - 85 mph while pbutting each of them and then picked the speed up again afterwards. No problem for anybody.

Both of those were wet road situations, but they were very different in terms of what speed was sensibly usable.

We have to learn to evaluate the conditions properly, and then drive in a suitable manner that accords with the conditions. Speed is, in itself, only one little factor in all that. There is much more to it.

Best wishes all, Dave.