Sir, A tougher driving test (report and leading article, Jan 2) seems unlikely to make much impact on the driving styles of the young men who are the main target of the measure. These drivers are frequently quite skilled at the mechanics of driving, hence their overconfidence. Responsible attitudes to driving are partly a result of upbringing but also result from experience. Some form of second, advanced driving test may be part of the answer. But other measures are necessary.

It would be sensible to prevent newly qualified drivers from driving anything that is too powerful. This could be based on power-to-weight ratio. To a certain extent insurance constraints already pose some restrictions on what cars young people can drive, but making it law would help.

Having to use a provisional plate for the first two years after qualifying might also help, especially if that plate carried a speed restriction. Finally, we should consider prohibiting newly qualified drivers from having more than one passenger in the car. It seems clear that many of the worst accidents involve cars that are full of young passengers — where the desire to impress may get the better of common sense. Hopefully, a smaller audience might lead to less showing off and, at least, it helps to limit the damage when things go wrong.

Clearly no measures will stop the hard core of young male driving offenders, but they may be easier to spot.

KEVIN MILLER
Penshurst, Kent

Sir, Car manufacturers continue to emphasise speed in their advertising. They design cars giving a false sense of safety and a menacing appearance.

Also, some motoring journalists should stop sneering at those who keep within speed limits and encouraging people to buy car with high maximum speeds.

ANTHONY CLARK
Effingham, Surrey

Sir, Some years ago, I was posted to Brazil and decided to convert my pilot’s licence to a Brazilian one.

Following the usual tests and examinations I was subjected to a psychological test, which included attempts to make me angry and to deal with frustration. The accent was on self-control.

Perhaps prior exercises in, and testing for, self-control, should be a requirement for issue of a driver’s licence?

W. MEYER
Reading

Sir, It is not long since a theory component to the driving test was introduced; so much for that.

Why do we not consider a requirement that all able-bodied applicants for provisional driving licences have first to pass a cycling proficiency test? Vulnerable road users learn road sense and consideration for others much more rapidly than those who are cocooned in steel cages with air bags, crumple zones and other safety features.

PETER INSON
Wembley

Sir, In the future a 17-year-old will not be permitted to smoke, yet will be allowed to be in control of a potentially lethal machine.

Why are we not intending to raise the minimum driving age to 18?

MARK GARDNER
Betchworth, Surrey

Sir, Successive governments have failed to fund adequate policing of our roads. Lack of enforcement means that the laws are observed more in their breach than in compliance.

A recent visit to Australia indicated to me just how effective rigorous police enforcement can be, not only in providing a deterrent to bad driving but also in producing safer roads.

NIGEL SUDBOROUGH
Uppingham, Rutland

Sir, As much as I agree that young drivers should be educated more substantially to reduce the number of road accidents, I was not so sure about the Driving Standards Agency’s idea of following the Swedish system.

As a 17-year-old girl I had thirty hours of lessons over four months and passed first time. The whole experience cost more than £800. If I had to complete 120 hours of training before I could take a test, driving would be a luxury I simply could not afford.

LISA MURPHY-O'REILLY
Sevenoaks

Sir, I am a 23-year-old male; I have been driving for six years; and I have not yet had an accident.

Curtailing the freedom to drive that I enjoyed on the basis of the irresponsible or complacent behaviour of a minority seems not much better than the state imprisoning random Muslims just in case they are terrorists or businesses refusing to hire married women over 30 to avoid the expense of maternity leave.

Insurance premiums are already an instance of apparently legal sex discrimination whereby young, careful male drivers are forced to subsidise the accidents of other men in their category and other drivers.

Certainly, something must be done about accidents; but need we be so thoughtlessly reactionary as to propose measures that only low-risk young males would end up obeying?

RICHARD SMITH
Chelmsford

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