The boredom factor of motorways

I WAS quite astonished to read Peter Horton’s theory that, on motorways, (a) HGV drivers tend to “nod off” because of the 56mph governed limit and (b) car drivers would do the same at the lower speed owing to the modern car being “quiet and fast” (Yorkshire Post, May 30).

The blame for any accident involving “nodding off” is totally attached to the driver, not to the speed limit being too slow for his/her enjoyment (or boredom).

His example of engine speeds and gears seems to adhere to a constant 1,500rpm, and his support of an 80mph limit saving fuel doesn’t convince me as he appears to assume a use of rigid gear speeds based on road speed and doesn’t consider the use of any gear (at lower revs) without changing down.

Fuel consumption in cars was always quoted at about 57mph as this is the most fuel-efficient speed, above which the air resistance begins to reduce the mpg as speed increases.

I drive a five-gear car and at about 57-60mph I can either drive in fourth, or, more often, in fifth, unless a slight gradient labours it.

I would bet that, over 100 miles, my car would use much less fuel at 58mph in fifth gear than any equivalent car doing the suggested 80mph. There wouldn’t be much difference between my 70mph and the six-gear car doing 80.

I don’t concur with his campaign theory that higher speed reduces driver fatigue because he has failed to criticise that dubious facility (on his quiet, fast modern cars) of the cruise control which, to me, is a prime catalyst for nodding off.

From: Harry Moore, Leeds Road, Ilkley.

I WISH that my car ran as Peter Horton’s car runs (Yorkshire Post, May 30).

If what he says is true, we should all be able to travel Leeds to London in a couple of minutes using no fuel whatsoever, since he says that the faster we travel, the less fuel we use.

He seems not to know that wind and rolling resistance both increase as the square of the velocity, so, as the rest of us know, the car uses more fuel the faster it travels.

In general, I support his view that the motorway speed limit should be increased as boredom and drowsiness are important factors in many motorway accidents.

Demeaning Speaker’s role

From: Terry Duncan, Greame Road, Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

OVER the past decades, I have watched on TV the workings of our House of Commons in Westminster.

As a Brit, I marvel at the pomp and pageantry which is unequalled anywhere else in the world. Apart from the Royal occasions, the next on my list has been the sittings of our elected MPs, chaired in the past by such greats as George Thomas, Bernard Weatherill and Betty Boothroyd.

However, in more recent years, the role of Speaker seems to have been demeaned by the holders of the post, firstly Michael Martin and now by John Bercow.

Watching him, full of his own importance and wearing a horrible green tie, he smirked and grinned, nodded to his mates as if he was God above, as he escorted the President of the US.

He, like his predecessor, has lost all that was beautiful about the role of Speaker of the House of Commons, especially the regalia that used to go with the job.

Now, Speaker Bercow bellows at MPs as if he was a trade union leader, giving precedence to those who favour his views.

Let’s hope that his successor will show more respect for this historic office and the deference that Parliament is due.

A blow for moral issues

From: DM Loxley, Pinewood View, Hartoft, Pickering.

THE RWE wind farm at West Heslerton, like very many others, has raised considerable comment.

However, the planning people at Ryedale Council will only consider objections based on “planning” – each application being considered on its own-merit.

There is a national government guideline presumption to favour renewables. Socio-moral issues do not count.

By no means are these machines economically viable in their own right. The acclaimed poor performance has nothing to do with the equipment – that, from an engineering point of view, is excellent. It is simply the poor availability of fuel – ie wind.

But this is not a planning consideration.

‘Mean-spirited’ Lib Dems

From: Viscount Falkland, House of Lords.

Whatever the merits of Lord Newby’s piece (Yorkshire Post, May 27) perhaps I may be allowed to reply, as I was mentioned personally as an example of the democratic outrage he clearly judges the present House of Lords to be.

Firstly, his arguments, which he will shortly be able to deploy in debates on the Government’s White Paper on Lords Reform, are devalued when he personalises them in a newspaper. A basic error, surprising from an experienced politician.

This, however, is surely revealing of the mean-spirited mood now within the Liberal Democrats as they are in deep, possibly terminal, decline.

I am the first Liberal Democrat who, with great reluctance, has left to join the independent Cross Benches as I found the party’s behaviour in coalition hard to endure.

This no doubt prompted Lord Newby’s remarks in my regard. Happily, there remain great figures in the Lib Dem Party, such as Shirley Williams, Bill Rodgers and David Steel, and I sincerely hope all is not lost.