The Editor, Sir:

Having recently paid a $5,000 fine for speeding, I was incensed to see on the receipt an inscription thanking me for my contribution towards national development. I felt that it was an immoral way to extract contributions towards national development.

I propose that on the highways a Transition Speed Zone should be established to allow motorists the opportunity to smoothly decelerate from the 80km to the 50km zone. Once this zone is traversed, then the police can set up their speed trap to catch the erring motorists. The distance for the transition zone should be about 100 meters. It is a challenge traveling the North Coast Highway and unless one knows exactly where the speed zone signs are, one can be easily caught in speed traps.

Travelling from Montego Bay to Kingston, there are several speed signs - 80 km/hr, 50 km/hr, 40km/hr and even the odd old 30 sign, which of course is referring to miles per hour! It can be a nightmare for motorists. Hope the powers that be will listen.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD STONE

hstone@cybervale.com

Spanish Town PO.