It is all very well to call upon motorists to observe speed limits on Swindon roads (Swindon Advertiser, November 17).

Yet of course, the Borough of Swindon is one of those local authorities where – for ideological reasons no doubt including invoking the mythical ‘war on motorists’ – speed cameras have been switched off.

Speed cameras have an important role to play in changing driver behaviour.

Indeed, it could be argued that having a network of cameras, including dummy cameras, could create the presumption that all of these devices were ‘live’ and that there are no parts of the borough in which speeding was an allowable pastime.

In England, Scotland and Wales together about 1,700 people were killed in 2013, according to officially reported road traffic accident figures.

That was roughy equivalent to the entire population of Wanborough.

Approximately 22,000 people were seriously injured.

That was about twice the population of Royal Wootton Bassset.

And the total for casualties of all severities was about 184,000. That figure approached Swindon’s total population.

Pedestrians were the second largest group of casualties after car occupants.

Talking of pedestrians, I and many others remain to be convinced that the bizarre arrangements around the Regent Circus development in Swindon town centre will remain a safe and stress-free environment (including for motorists).

Instead of the perennial whinge about a supposed war against motorists we need a different war.

One against needless deaths and injuries caused by motor vehicles.

Geraint Day Southampton Street Swindon