THE point I am trying to make in my correspondence with Allan Ramsay (September 30), is that politicians shutting down our roads is creating more problems, rather than solving them.

Politicians shut down our tram systems, our railways and canals. They also privatised our buses. Once upon a time well-used bus routes subsidised the less well-used ones, as did the railways to some extent. What we had should have been improved upon, not destroyed.

There was nothing wrong with the infrastructure we had in place but, being state-run, it was more often than not badly managed by people who considered themselves untouchable. We didn't need privatisation or profit. The only political interference needed was to kick out the incompetents and instil decent management. The same should be applied to other state-run institutions today. The NHS is a classic example, especially with what is going on locally.

The decent, law-abiding motorist has become a scapegoat for the failings of others and a target for politically-correct zealots. If someone breaks the law, punish them -- but do not tar everyone with the same brush.

In reply to Mr Ramsay's questions:

Smoking did used to be socially acceptable and some swore blind it did no harm -- a bit like mobile phones today!

As for drugs, alcohol is socially acceptable and, losing the war on the streets, politicians have re-classified certain drugs and relaxed laws regarding possession. It is probably more "socially acceptable" and legal to get stoned than it is to speed.

Mr Ramsay is doing his cause no favours by keep bringing up Jeremy Clarkson's "satirical" comments about speed in The Sun. But for him, they would be long forgotten and the paper discarded as chip wrapping. As for comparing Clarkson to Bin-Laden, well, I am not going to waste my ink.

As a sad footnote, a Gatso speed camera was recently identified as a possible driver distraction in the death of an elderly pedestrian. This was backed up by a coroner and police officer. It was reported (Daily Mail, October 7) that the RAC Foundation said that, although useful in tackling accident blackspots, the devices were probably to blame for a lot of accidents. I think contemplation is in order.

LEX LUTHER