Speeding drivers deserve to face the consequences

Dec 4 2008 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

I CANNOT hide my absolute disgust and dismay with regards an article in the Hamilton Advertiser (November 27) concerning the website set up by lawyer Charles Ferguson, aimed at helping drivers facing speeding charges.

The speed limit is there for a reason: to help save lives. Daily, on our roads, entire families are wiped out by selfish, show-off speedsters who believe they are above the law.

In the past, I have been caught speeding (not to the excess that some maniacs do on our roads however). The fact that I exceeded the speed limit at all was enough for me to be fined and points placed on my licence. I deserved it.

Nowadays though, there seems to be a culture of attempting to shun responsibility. This must stop.

If someone believes they are old enough and mature enough to drive what is in effect a very dangerous weapon, then they should be mature enough to hold their hands up to their failings. A naive view I know, in this Smart Aleck culture, but one can always live in hope.

I wonder if Mr Ferguson would still think it smart if, God forbid, a speeding driver killed or maimed him or one of his family.

I also wonder if Mr Ferguson, like many drivers out there, believes that he is the best driver the world has ever seen? Well, he is not. No one is. There are only two types of driver: a dangerous one and a careful one.

I am sure an article relating to the anguish of those family members left without loved-ones – due to speeding show-offs on the road – would be more worthwhile and help combat this culture.

Peter McNab.