THE letter from the mother who had lost her son in a road accident struck a chord with me.

My family lost a dear family member on the A48 five years ago. She was only 20. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about her.

Her accident was not due to speed. I travel this road every day on the long and arduous journey into Cheltenham for work. It takes me nearly an hour and a half so I have plenty of time to think and observe the other users of the road.

There are some crazy people out there willing to take silly risks to get sometimes only a couple of cars ahead. I would be a liar if I said I always stick to the speed limit but I know my limits.

After 25 years of driving I like to think I know when to slow down and I am very familiar with this stretch of road. It was very fitting that this evening (January 27 at 6.30pm) a black car overtook me just before Blakeney and had to be doing 80mph (I confess I was doing 55 and know this was fast enough). He had to keep going down the other side of the road over double lined markings in the road in order to get past rather than get back behind me whilst he had chance. I later saw him take the same risk at the turnoff to Viney Hill as he overtook several cars on the hill still on the road towards Lydney.

I don't think my letter, or indeed the lady's letter printed this week will make any difference to idiots like this. They will carry on regardless. At the risk of sounding ageist I have to say that most of the risk takers appear to be young drivers. If they were only risking their own lives some might say it's their choice but I have no doubt that had luck not been on his side tonight I would have been leaving two young children to grow up without their mum.

If you know who this person was show them this letter. You never know it might just work.

– Name and address supplied.