I have just witnessed a pedestrian who was hit by a car in Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton.

I arrived shortly after the accident, but it was quite apparent that the accident happened at considerably higher than the 30mph speed which appears to be optional in this road, as there was considerable damage to the car and the windscreen was smashed.

Having lived in the area for a number of years now, I have seen that the abuse of the speed limit in this particular road is extreme, both in the number of drivers chosing to speed and the amount over the limit that they achieve.

I believe I am a pretty good judge of a car's speed, and I believe that the majority of cars will be found to be doing 45 to 70mph at some point along this road.

I know that this is seen to be an boring, old or less important subject by many, but if people are being killed in this way then something must be done, and I mean real policing, not just bunging a speed camera there which doesn't work as drivers just slow down for the camera, then speed up again afterwards.

I have no wish to clamp down on drivers generally, but in this street something should, and must, be done.

P Holmes, Groveside Close, Carshalton

July 18, 2002 12:00