SIR – Many will be shocked and saddened at the crash in which four young men were killed (T&A, December 12) – similar crashes happen far too often, but is it surprising?

Isn’t ‘speed’ the message they have been sold all their young lives via DVDs, computer games and films?

Top Gear presenters (who sneer at traffic calming) were recently described in Time magazine as speed merchants – and that is what they are.

Car manufacturers provide and promote high-performance vehicles designed for speeds far in excess of national limits – which could be said to encourage high speeds.

There seems little thought for the disastrous effect this has on immature drivers who think they have to drive fast to “prove” themselves.

It is now possible to govern speeds with a system called Intelligent Speed Adaptation, trialled by Leeds University in conjunction with the Department for Transport.

If mandatory, there would be no more speeding, little joy-riding, fewer chases, no speeding fines, less ugly traffic calming and a much safer environment for all.

Perhaps it would be a good time to evaluate the real, not the fantasy, needs of society – unless we are prepared to read similar horrific headlines time and again.

Barbara Davy, Parklands, Ilkley