IMPROVEMENTS to the A66 west of Scotch Corner have made parts of it safer, but some sections are still potentially lethal.

I have noticed that overall traffic speed seems to have increased since the newer dual carriageway sections were completed.

Travelling at 70mph on the dual sections of road, I am often passed by drivers who must be doing 90mph, at least.

Even on the single carriageway these drivers don’t slow down (unless they come up behind traffic travelling at the 60mph limit).

Of course, if they aren’t familiar with the A66 they won’t realise how many minor roads and turnings still link with the main carriageways – sometimes with little, or no, acceleration/deceleration lane.

Or that traffic crosses the main carriageway, and visibility at the crossroads can be limited.

Or even that farm traffic and horse-drawn vehicles still use this road.

It surprises me that we don’t have more accidents.

Gavin Hay, Darlington.