Sir/Madam
So, 'research out today' informs us that "small cars are safer than most people think". Well, mask-wearing city cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, and pushchair-occupants ( See Bubble Buggy - the wondrous air-cleansing pushchair) everywhere will all no doubt heave a collective sigh of relief at this long-awaited reassuring piece of "news".
Has even the "TODAY" programme now given in, Prescott-fashion, to pressure from the Internal Combustion Engine lobbyists and research-spinners? Without the benefit of so-called "research", maybe you would also like to broadcast the fact that, to an increasing section of the population, SAFETY is just a 'decoy' car-sales feature that carmakers are increasingly focussing on in order to distract attention from the REAL challenge, the real issue: namely the almost inescapable stench of vehicle exhaust not just in our cities but on our country roads as well.
Is it just sheer coincidence that this comforting safety news is broadcast just three days after Ford Dagenham executives admit to having difficulty finding sufficient buyers for their flagship small car, namely the Fiesta?
Carmakers must think 'smart' not 'small': smart, ultra-high-tensile, super-light, recyclable materials, and most importantly, emission-free alternatives to the Internal Combustion Engine - yes, even without the benefit of sales-oriented research, I would suggest that it will take more than dubious reassurances on 'safety' to bring overtaxed and/or 'green-minded' buyers back to the showrooms: let's please have a product worthy of the 21st Century with no more of these woefully predictable 'short-cuts'.