In the days before the current highway carnage much of the freight for industry and commercial operations was carried by rail.

And then, thanks to the demand for quicker delivery and pressure from the trucking lobby, a great deal of this freight was transferred to the roads.

If there is any real commitment to save lives surely the answer is to go back to rail transport. It would probably save wear and tear on the roads, too. Is this too easy a solution for governments?

THIS news should come as no real surprise to the many motorists who have been travelling the legal speed limit and been overtaken, tailgated and “threatened” by some truck drivers' driving behaviour.

The excuse that it's the minority simply doesn't wash any more.

Speed limits and speed limiters clearly mean nothing in many cases and as for the “average speed safety cameras” dotted around some of the rural highways, I'd like to see evidence of their effectiveness versus cost of installation and management.

The only true remedy to this and to the holiday carnage is to get more police patrol cars in more visible and obvious locations – not hiding in bushes.

THE attention on the shocking holiday road toll and suggestions that thousands of speed cameras will solve the issue illustrates how far off track the road safety debate has become.

Years of almost single-minded focus on speeding as the cause of crashes has resulted in a culture where any manner of dangerous driving habits have become more common – among them inattention, distraction, failure to observe stop and give way signs, failure to indicate, illegal U-turns and, of course, mobile phone use.

This holiday season road toll has happened despite double demerits and (in NSW) largely dry and clear driving conditions.

We need to look deeper into the standard of driving in Australia and broaden the focus of enforcement – thousands of speed cameras is not the panacea many would like to think.

ANDREW Gee has shown a genuine concern for CSU and the impact of the university funding freeze announced by the Federal Government (“Calare MP Andrew Gee slams lack of consultation on university funding freeze”, Western Advocate, December 20). 

A lack of consultation is inexcusable and will have a big impact on CSU funding.

Andrew Gee has missed out on a promotion in Malcolm Turnbull’s ministry reshuffle. However, this is to the advantage of the Calare electorate, giving our local member more time to work with his constituents.  

Andrew Gee shows concern for his constituents and this was also evident when he acknowledged the Calare electorate “yes” vote in the same-sex marriage survey. Against his own conscience, he voted in the parliament to support same-sex marriage.

It was disappointing, though, when he sided with state Member for Bathurst Paul Toole to support the Brewongle community in their quest to have the proposed solar farm moved to another very unsuitable area at Brewongle.  

The alternative suggested area is totally unsuitable due to the aspect and lack of infrastructure.