SIR - In reply to Police Speed Trap (Letters April 23) how much quicker can anyone get to their destination travelling at 40mph (or more) as opposed to 30mph, over a short journey, perhaps just one or two minutes? If petrol headed halfwits persist with

SIR - In reply to 'Police Speed Trap' (Letters April 23) how much quicker can anyone get to their destination travelling at 40mph (or more) as opposed to 30mph, over a short journey, perhaps just one or two minutes?

If petrol headed halfwits persist with driving at excessive speeds in built up areas then it is no wonder they are 'trapped'. The difference between 30 and 40mph in a collision is proven. Take responsibility and drive within the limit, that way resources can be used to catch burglars not middle aged (or otherwise) boy-racers.

I would have thought that at 12.30pm during the school holidays there was a better chance of knocking a child over on the road than if it were in school time, but if speed is your thing expect to be 'trapped'.

It is not always about revenue.

PATRICK MORAN

Stevenage

SIR - Regarding police speed traps, I am getting increasingly annoyed about the people who are jumping on the 'Let's have a go at the police' bandwagon.

If Colin Roberts was so upset about the number of police at that speed trap, why didn't he ask them why there were eight of them there? I assume that he received a ticket as he had time to safely tally the number of police officers so precisely?

Hertfordshire ranks very high in the safest places to live in the UK, and many of those eight police officers may well have been training or possibly special constables who are all devoting much time to making Hertfordshire and its roads safer.

MARK RUSSELL

Cambridge Road

Hitchin