ON Saturday, May 22, I was driving from Helmsley to York when I came to a small hill which was high enough for me to be unable to see anything on the road behind it.

On cresting the hill, I was suddenly faced with every motorist’s nightmare, happening in a flash.

I was faced with a car parallel with me, on the opposite side of the road, also with two motorcyclists, one behind the other, overtaking parallel with that car and two others very close behind who looked ready to attempt overtaking.

I instinctively braked and tried to pull out to the left, but there was nowhere to go. We were all extremely fortunate it did not end in four motorcyclists’ deaths and car occupants, dead or injured.

It seems to me many motorcyclists use these country roads as racetracks; the curves and hills give them the thrills of speed and dexterity, but at what cost?

Driving safely calls for skill, knowledge and consideration for other road users. Many country roads appear to be empty of traffic, but it is an illusion. There is nearly always another vehicle, or a cyclist, horse rider or walker on your side of the road, just round the bend.

C M Ritchie, Alwyne Drive, Shipton Road, York.