Matt Bullen

Mr Gladstone, thank you for your reply to my letter.

You certainly do have my respect. It's a shame you didn't demonstrate your credentials in your first correspondence. I would have shown you the admiration you deserve. Anyone who has performed the work you have, is indeed to be admired.

Yes, you must know a lot more than I about the topics you are clearly experienced in, and I thank you for the work you have done and terrible things you may have seen.

I do stand by my belief that those of us travelling to get somewhere, who are hampered by speed limits that we deem ridiculous, will take risks that may indeed be stupid, but human behaviour isn't always rational.

We have seen two or three already this week locally. This is no excuse, but it's hard to break old habits. I also believe that there will always be deaths on our roads.

The idea of a "Road to Zero" is just not achievable in the real world. The Labour party ideology of "If we slow down the traffic, no one will die!" is just crazy.

Everything we do carries risk, the world is a dangerous place. I'll add a photo of me at age 17, which I believe qualifies my comments, and due to my experience, I have also been involved in road safety work.

Volunteering for work with our SADD Students, Police, Courts, Council road safety coordinator and youth aid officers, I have been active in trying to make a difference for youth and young adults making decisions that can change lives.

As much as I believe you are genuine in your beliefs, I don't think the answer is lower limits. I personally think distracted drivers are a bigger problem, as are poorly trained drivers.

I agree with you that education and driver training are vital. On my lunchtime walks each day the number of drivers I see using a phone, eating, running stop signs and failing to observe multiple other road rules is astounding.

It is no excuse, but the photo I have attached is the result of a crash I participated in, with an impaired driver, doing approximately 80 kmh in a 50kmh zone. Lowering the speed limit would not have made a difference.

There but for the grace of God go I.