Following on from Mr Cooper’s latest letter (June 26), I never said that the cyclist had entered the road in front of me; just that he was “about to”!

The scenario was just an example of when accelerating out of trouble might be necessary. It’s by no means the only time; there are many other occasions, such as on a single- carriageway road, where one wishes to pass an articulated lorry which is travelling at 55mph.

Such a vehicle could be 55 feet in length. If my maths is correct, to pass this without exceeding the 60mph speed limit would take nine seconds. This is quite a long time to be alongside a vehicle which could so easily waver from, say, a gust of wind, or when the driver is on his phone or taking a swig from his cup of coffee and, yes, this does happen! To pass at 65 mph would take just half this time and at 70 mph, just a third!

Stamping on the brake pedal whilst half-way along would not avoid a collision; sudden rapid acceleration probably would, especially if it’s the trailer which starts to move sideways.

At the end of the day, safety has a far greater priority than sticking precisely to any speed limit. I’m not advocating ‘speeding’ per se; just the momentary exceeding of the limit to avoid a potential disaster.

A speed-limiter set to the actual limit at the time is the most stupid of ideas. To press the accelerator and have nothing happen would be the most frightening of experiences and may well be one’s last!

David Myers, Urchfont.