I READ a few days ago comments on driving by two people who should have known better suggesting that the majority of driving accidents involve older drivers. Where do these people live and do they drive a motor vehicle?

Most of the accidents I see reported are by younger drivers. I drive every day and the things I see done by young people, especially young men, baffle me. People overtake at traffic lights, on the brow of hills, around corners, on continuous white lines, at pedestrian crossings, make turns where forbidden notices are clearly on display, sound horns in silent zones, park on pedestrian crossings, in corners, turn and stop without signalling, overtake long lines of traffic, cut in sharply after overtaking and the list goes on and on.

A different law

Taxis and minibus drivers are laws unto themselves, doing whatever they wish anywhere, anytime it suits them without any regard for other road users. Speeding is a major factor among young drivers. They have the urge to be in front of every other driver regardless of the traffic and or road condition.

Details needed

Most older drivers have gained experience, handling ability skills, civility, positive attitude and patience. Where the young drivers are concerned, some have not been taught properly and not by competent instructors. A vast number have never taken a test, have no knowledge of the road code and have obtain their driver's licences by devious methods.

The relevant authorities should publish the accident statistics and fatalities by age of drivers involved stipulating separately those involving public-passenger vehicles. It is not satisfactory just to state that fatalities amount to 300 in a year without a breakdown statistically on age groups, type of vehicles, cause of accidents, where they occur, time (day/night) and road condition (dry/wet).

No use in retesting

These are some of the elements (and there are others) when known can be helpful in devising safe-driving campaigns.

Talks of retesting will have no positive result; retraining by qualified instructors to develop a sensible road-using attitude is a better suggestion. During the test, many drivers do all the right things, but on passing, they feel they are experts. Probably there should be a qualifying period after passing before a full licence is issued.

I am, etc.,

LES FRANCIS

francoash@gmail.com

Mandeville

Manchester