J Rose, Mullumbimby
There seems to be a pathological attitude at large in the Byron Shire; people are determined to live (and seemingly enjoy) a negativity that is almost contagious. No one is willing to be positive about potholes.
We are used to speed humps to slow traffic on our streets, and people actually ask council to install them.
We see letters in The Echo calling for speed limits on roads across the Shire.
As to complaints that potholes can damage tyres and suspensions, if one drives slowly in, and out, of potholes, damage is mitigated and even nonexistent.
Be positive, I urge Shire residents – potholes are merely inverse speed humps. Speed humps cost labor, money, and time whereas potholes are money saving for ratepayers: potholes are self-creating and need no maintenance or replacement.
Slower traffic will obviate accidents caused by speed; motorists will benefit by not burning (costly) fuel at higher speeds.
Council outdoor staff will have less onerous (and dangerous) work to do, meaning that they can be diverted to some urgent and necessary tasks, for example beautifying road verges and maintaining our many parks and gardens.
Queensland motorists, so often vilified for their driving habits, will be better regarded leading to a more harmonious relationship.
Byron Shire will be in the Vanguard of progressive road safety policy for the nation, and I envisage visitors going home to tell their friends (and, of course, the local councils) what a road-safety conscious place Byron Shire is, and pleading for the precedent to be followed.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
