JUST before the Christmas holidays, I was working on the M61 motorway along with two other men, coning off the outside lane of the southbound carriageway. We were astounded to see a car driver travelling along lane two, both hands off the wheel, apparently expressing his thanks to us by clapping his hands.

If this particular clown (and there are many more just like him) happens to read this letter, here is some advice: (a) keep both hands on the wheel and (b) keep your distance.

All too often on the motorway maintenance programme, it is necessary to close the offside lane in order to repair barriers damaged by vehicles involved in accidents, caused by such recklessness.

Incidentally one of the others reasons for lane closures, is to remove the tons of rubbish thrown out of moving vehicles.

So, next time you are on the motorway (Mr Whizz Kid no-hands driver), remember people like you are the cause of delay, not the victims of them.

John M Owen

Yellow Lodge Drive, Westhoughton

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.