Re: “Speed limit reduction plan draws public’s ire,” March 12.

As usual, we are addressing the symptoms, rather than the cause.

To reduce the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h does not reduce the number of speeders, and it is the irresponsible, careless drivers who cause most of the accidents.

There is only one way to reduce accidents, and that is to hurt the driver ignoring traffic laws. These drivers have forgotten that a driver’s licence does not constitute a right to drive, but is a privilege to operate a vehicle.

If there were effective punishments instead of minor slaps on the wrist, such as an automatic minimum $1,000 fine or a lengthy jail sentence for a first offence and up from there, I am willing to bet accidents caused by careless driving would be almost eliminated.

So, for a change, let’s address the cause properly and not pussyfoot around.

To reduce speed limits would only cause hardships for responsible drivers.

Robert Brodgesell

Ladysmith

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