Trying to impose restrictions on young drivers would be like trying to prevent under-age sex; impossible. These days we believe we can remove all danger from all situations. There is a point at which you have to accept that measures you take to avoid something have gone as far as they can go. We already have 10-16 year olds stealing cars and racing around; raise the legal age to 21 and you will have 10-20 year olds illegally driving. Of course, you could take those police who will no longer be employed catching burglars (and then just letting them off with a caution) into the traffic division. Keith Downer, London

It's completely unrealistic to expect the police to enforce a new set of rules when (for lack of resources or will) they don't enforce the current ones. I can tell the time by the sound of howling exhausts and screeching tyres outside my house in a small town - it starts just after 5 every evening, and continues on and off until late. The “boys” drive a circuit through our little old High Street at anything up to 60. Enforcement? Not a chance. Satellite tracking, good idea. Very tough test, good idea too. Curfews and engine-size restrictions? Unenforceable gimmick. Use the current laws properly instead of inventing more. Chris Barltrop, Bromyard

I live in The Forest of Dean. It is a small area and last year 20 people died on its roads, most through speeding. We all know where the fixed speed cameras are located and locals pass them at a steady 45mph. What we need are traffic police. They, presumably, could then stop the local idiots and restore sanity to the roads. No need to rush though, the local speedsters will soon have killed themselves off - to the relief of the rest of the population. Alun Long, Cinderford

Noticeable by its absence from all the reports and comments on young drivers is the issue of loud music. It doesn't take a genius to realise that listening to thumping bass and raucous melodies must have a detrimental effect on safe driving. The driver's mind is more likely to be on what is booming out and his ability to hear sounds outside the vehicle seriously impaired. Michael Smyth, Tirana, Albania

If we’re putting restrictions on young drivers why don’t we also impose restrictions on drivers over a certain age? Elderly drivers often drive too slowly, causing frustration in other drivers. By a certain age reaction times are slower and eye sight deteriorates. All drivers over 60 should be made to sit tests every few years. I write from personal experience as an elderly driver narrowly missed me as he was driving around a roundabout the wrong way. Name and address withheld

Limit the passengers, the power of the engine and the modifications and then introduce compulsory two-stage tests. Give young people the time to get some months of experience under their belts before telling them that they've passed and are free to drive. It took me four attempts to pass, because I was so nervous. The feeling of nervousness did not disappear overnight because I passed the test. I know I would have benefited from having learnt to drive, passed a stage-one test which certified me ready for the road, and then offered me the opportunity to learn more about the reality of driving before taking on passengers and a more powerful car. Sarah Marquis, London

As a police officer and young driver I feel I have a unique insight into this issue. I obtained my driving licence at 18 years old and brought myself a 1.1litre 206. It was completely unmodified and kept in a low-crime area. My insurance was £1600 per year. I agree that younger drivers tend to take more risks and have a blase attitude to speed and safety. Restrictions on passengers and regular testing throughout a two-year probation would be a good idea to force them to maintain a good standard. I'm 22 now and have been a police officer for three years. I've had one accident (my fault) and possess a clean licence. Matthew Carter, Southend-on-Sea

I feel that restrictions should be placed on young drivers. I passed my driving test at the age of 17 and proceeded immediately to smash two cars within the space of a year, hospitalising myself both times in the process. The fact is that I thought I had better skills than I did. I know the financial and physical pain that this brought me and would not like to see it inflicted on anyone else. I disagree with giving younger drivers a curfew, as for many people it is the freedom of driving that inspires them to learn, but certainly impose a limit on the class of vehicle and provide more education. As for raising the driving age I feel that it should only be to 18; it would remove some of the younger drivers, but still recognise that young people need to commute. At 22, I still love to drive and enjoy nothing more than an empty B road, but under normal driving conditions I take a lot more care than I ever did at 17. Phil Parsley, Durham

I work for an insurance company which targets the young driver market. As a result I see daily the results of the havoc these drivers can cause. The most telling thing for me is that it's usually the parents ring up to arrange and pay for the insurance, and it's almost always the parents who want to deal with the claim process. So how do you expect any young people to take responsibility for their actions when apparently it's OK for them to drive their car and cause accidents but not OK to deal with the aftermath? Parents, if your child is old enough to drive - they are old enough to sort out their own mess. Name withheld, Manchester

Taking driving lessons and tests during university is near impossible, due to moving about between home and university. Therefore increasing the age would leave many well-educated young people unable to drive when searching for a job, which could hinder this search. I see no problem with introducing greater restrictions on new drivers, such as engine size. However, a speed limit of 50mph would leave new drivers frustrated when driving on motorways and frustrate others on single carriageways. Rules should not be introduced if people would expect them to be broken. Hannah Mantle, Paris

The standard of driving in the North East of Scotland is atrocious; however, the authorities are proud to announce that they have the highest pass rate in the UK. This is not reflected in the butcher's bill which is published every Monday morning in the local paper. Part of this carnage was caused by a local French car salesroom offering a new car for £30 a week and, as an inducement to purchase, free insurance for a year! John MacDonald, Aberdeen

The idea of placing a curfew on young drivers is ridiculous. It may work in the big cities, but once again it appears us country folk have been forgotten. If I were still in my teens this would mean that I would be relying on public transport to get into town. Unfortunately said public transport runs through my village only once a week, on a Tuesday, and doesn't even go to the nearby town, so is completely useless. As for Kevin Miller's suggestion of a 50mph speed limit for young drivers, I have never heard such nonsense. Maybe when he gets tired of following such a restricted driver, attempts to overtake, and gets piled into by the middle aged, middle managing "responsible driver" coming the other way at 70mph in his BMW X5, he might just reconsider. David Tedbury, Pointon