Grant Cawthorn of Linden writes:
Dear Editor
I refer to your editorial of 26th May regarding driving licence renewal and the proposed retesting of driving abilities. The first part of your editorial refers to the lack of organisation and corruption around the testing process, with which we all concur. However, I must debate your second part, namely that it will “root out bad drivers” and your speculation on “how many taxi drivers will pass their driver’s licence”. I suggest that the majority of these “bad drivers” are perfectly capable of driving legally and correctly. The problem is that they deliberately ignore the rules, because there is essentially no enforcement of such rules at present. So they would pass their test (or obtain licences in the ways you infer) and then revert to their dangerous driving practices. Retesting will achieve nothing. The only solution is for much more active traffic policing and fining, and the implementation of the demerit system (accumulation of points for offences until licences are withdrawn) and its rigorous and honest implementation. I regret to conclude that I cannot agree with your title for your editorial “could be a positive”.
Editor’s note: Letter published unedited.
