ONE need not be a planning engineer to see how flawed some of our supposed traffic-calming measures are.

Given that speeding, or at least a gentle ignorance of road rules, sometimes seems a national trait (see, for instance, the failure of drivers to observe the 20mph limit on some roads around the city and outskirts), it seems easy to predict how many drivers would regard well-intended schemes as hurdles to be overcome rather than obeyed.

So, the bright spark who came up with the ‘speed cushions’ that adorn streets such as Ferry Hinksey Road clearly trusted drivers too much. What does everyone do? Weave between between them as in a reckless slalom contest.

One can only wonder at the brainstorming sessions that failed to foresee that outcome.

The outcome of two cars driving into the middle of the road from opposite directions, both thinking they can veer in and out in just enough time, is too horrific to imagine.

Why not simply build speed bumps across the full width of the road?

At least those errant drivers who see the speed cushions as some kind of game (and a dangerous one at that) might think again when they see the cost of replacing shock absorbers.

Ieuan Galbraith, Wolvercote