SIR - Councillor Roger Taylor's letter (T&A, January 3) is slightly ambiguous, but I'll try to answer him.

In his bid to prove speed is not dangerous, he asserts "not a single death has occurred" on limit-free sections of German autobahns - not true.

Initially I asked: why do motor manufacturers provide and promote excess speed capacity we cannot safely or legally use when the basic laws of physics, statistical and empirical evidence and commonsense all point to the dangers of speed?

Why else are racing drivers cocooned in fire-resistant suits?; why are we exhorted to slow down in adverse road conditions?; why are cyclists and pedestrians prohibited from using motorways?

In advocating the use of Intelligent Speed Adaptation/Assistance (ISA) a report to the Transport Select Committee states: "Illegal and inappropriate speed is the single biggest contributory factor in fatal road crashes".

In 2005 there were 793 speed-related road deaths. Young drivers are particularly vulnerable - graduated licenses are being considered to prevent novices driving "fast" cars.

Nobody likes being fined for speeding, but as speed exacerbates errors, many drivers and roadside residents are grateful for the comparative safety cameras bring.

Barbara Davy, Parklands, Ilkley