THE Government recently released the casualty figures for Britain's roads for 2005. For the first time the figures included causation factors of accidents.

Accidents caused by motorists breaking the speed limit was responsible for just 5 per cent of casualties or 160 lives, not the 33 per cent we have been led to believe by the camera partnerships.

Every life lost is tragic, but surely the 10's of millions of pounds spent persecuting safe drivers for driving at 32mph in a 30 limit could be better spent.

The country's drivers deserve better then the constant stream of ill-founded and badly researched rhetoric so fashionable at the moment.

Drivers paid £49billion in taxes last year but received just £7billion back in terms of much needed renewal and extra road capacity.

The difference adds up to a large subsidy of Government expenditure on social and local issues, not to mention the entire public transport network several times over. The road network and the motorist are the engine house of the British economy and the creators of wealth, to continually starve and underfund this vital cog is stupidly short sighted.

Road safety will only improve when we rid ourselves of the blame culture and take responsibility.

Cycling organisations need to take an active role in stopping cyclists riding on pavements and causing mayhem rather then turning a blind eye to the practice.

Pedestrians need to understand that pelican crossings are there for a reason and by crossing the road elsewhere they are increasing the risk of a driver simply not seeing them - not through malice or inattention but because unfortunately accidents do happen.

We still have the safest roads in Europe in this country.

That feat was achieved through cooperation, understanding and an attitude of live and let live' demonstrated by the vast majority of motorists, something certain members of our community and authorities find difficult to comprehend.

Sean Corker, Lichfield Rd Urmston