WITH regard to speed cameras, I wonder if regular drivers through Lancashire have noticed the extended sequence times of traffic signals?

We sit watching the glow of the red signal for what seems an eternity.

We become bored. In fact, we become very bored and frustrated.

At last, green! Accelerate, make up lost time. The next set of lights looms ahead still on green -- can we make it before the red?

Click, flash, gotcha! A strategically-placed "safety" camera has just relieved you of at least half a day's pay.

Is this a conspiracy? Of course it is. Psychology has been employed to relieve the law-abiding citizens of even more of his hard-earned cash.

The road safety lobby informs us of the benefits of these cameras. They quote impressive figures of lives saved and injuries prevented by this technology.

Would they be as enthusiastic if this marvel was costing money rather than generating yet more revenue to swell the coffers of the Chancellor? Philanthropy is not a virtue of government, but the proliferation of the rule of fear for the law-abiding citizen is.

Laws are for law-abiding people. For those with no respect or regard for law and order, such rules and laws are irrelevant.

An example is a friend recently received through the post a motor vehicle registration document for a vehicle not owned or even known by her, but the address was correct in every detail. The "owner" had registered the vehicle in his name but at my friend's address, consequently any speeding tickets issued through the "safety" cameras would have been delivered to my friend.

This is but one example of how the system favours those who choose to disregard the law and yet penalises those who would attempt to live by the law. The law as administered at present is basically lazy. When my friend attempted to inform the authorities of the deception, the police referred her to the vehicle licensing centre and they showed no interest other than to instruct her to return the document.

How long before someone took it upon themselves to recognise a deception was being attempted and to raise themselves from their backsides and make some effort to ensure the law was adhered to?

JOHN CAVE, Hudson Street, Burnley.