I HAVE to write and get this off my chest. As we are all aware, the M40 is being widened and there are 50mph speed limits in both directions. Did I say 50mph? Perhaps some drivers think that speed limit only applies to the left-hand lane, so if they use the outer lanes they are exempt from speed limits.

Or is it the arrogant company director types who drive the latest BMWs and the like? Are they too above the law? Or is it just that they are so important at work that nobody tells them what to do, including a few stupid road signs?

I am 50 years old and consider myself to be a very good driver. I have also held a clean licence for the last 18 years.

Now I'm preparing to take the advanced driving test, and during the training I have to stick to the speed limits. On the M40, I was overtaken by lorries and coaches doing well over 70, and cars going even faster.

These lanes are very narrow and dangerous, and I would like to remind motorists that the 50mph speed limit means 50. The speed limits are to protect the workmen and the motorists alike.

Sometimes I wonder if I should bother trying to drive properly. Why don't I just join the rat race and drive like a rat? At least I'll be on a par with everybody else.

Bernard Sharp

Desborough Avenue

High Wycombe

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.