Older drivers need a real test of skills

On the topical subject of re-testing elderly drivers, your correspondent Peter Hyde makes a crucial point in the middle of his letter (Yorkshire Post, March 21) where he states his driving instructor neighbour told him he would have failed a test but was perfectly safe to be on the road. I suspect that applies to a great many, if not the majority of drivers, irrespective of age.

The idea of requiring older drivers to have some periodic medical tests for eyesight, reaction and perhaps other conditions that might adversely affect their safe driving ability has some merit.

When it comes to a driving re-test however, that raises some interesting questions. Are we primarily interested in the realities of safe driving or a rigid adherence to a set of rules as laid down in the Highway Code? The obvious example being speed limits where a safe speed is a matter of good judgment and very different from complying with an arbitrary speed limit. Or, for example, how many know the white line at “Stop” signs is wider than the one at traffic lights?

If re-tests were to be conducted by examiners with common sense and discretion, they would probably have public support. If, on the other hand, they were conducted by the same pedantic mentality that considers 5mph above a speed limit is a cardinal sin, it would simply result in an ever-growing army of immobilised and disaffected pensioners.

From: Dennis Whitaker, Baildon, Shipley.

TO place an E (elderly) plate on the cars of older drivers will attract even more derision than we already do. Think about it. The careful drivers will remain careful but the arrogant, boorish and third-rate drivers will see this as an opportunity to make an even bigger nuisance of themselves than they do at present.

In the past week or so, Jayne Dowle and Allan Ramsay have written about a test for older drivers and while I do see the logic, it will not eradicate driving errors – which are usually the cause of accidents. As an older driver, I am acutely aware of my age and thus, keep my distance and observe speed limits.

In built-up areas, where traffic permits, I use cruise control, do not have to worry about my speed and have more time to watch other drivers and pedestrians.

When passing schools where children are milling about, 10 or even five mph is called for. I passed my test in April 1953, have never had a speeding ticket, have towed aircraft on airfields, caravans around Europe, enjoyed go-kart racing and am a white van driver.

One point to which no one has alluded is the fact that older drivers still have brains and very often relatives who will be critical of poor driving. A high degree of honesty is called for when re-applying for a licence and there is no shame in admitting that it is time to take a bus, taxi or train.

Pay up to keep politics alive

From: Gerald Hodgson, Spennithorne, Leyburn.

THE latest party funding scandal is disgraceful but I have sympathy with all political parties in their need to raise funds (Yorkshire Post, March 26).

The truth of the matter is that all British citizens benefit from our democratic system but very few contribute financially towards it.

A small minority of the electorate contribute modest sums as members of the various parties, for largely altruistic motives. A very small number contribute on a much larger scale, sometimes motivated by self interest as the latest episode illustrates.

The straightforward answer to the dilemma is to limit private donations to very modest sums and for the bulk of party funding to be provided by the state.

I suggest this could be fairly achieved by distributing funds to the parties in proportion to the number of votes they achieved at the previous General Election. A minimum threshold would cut out the extreme minorities. The cost to the Treasury in relation to the national budget would be minuscule.

And to the cynics who endlessly whinge about politicians, not least through the correspondence columns of your newspaper, and will undoubtedly object to this suggestion, I say, look at the alternative governments round the world and realise how lucky we are to have a comparatively honest and open democratic system. If we expect good people to go into politics, we need to give them more encouragement and less of the criticism which so often fails to acknowledge the pressures under which politicians operate.

Mirror Pool huge success

From: Dale Smith, Conservative Councillor for Wharfedale Ward.

SOME years ago, as a member of Bradford Council’s executive, and despite the misgiving of the usual doubters and sceptics, I wholeheartedly cast my vote in support of the concept and implementation of Bradford’s Mirror Pool but not even in my wildest dreams did I expect to witness the huge success and popularity of its official opening last Saturday.

The event saw thousands and thousands of our citizens of all ages and from all communities basking in the warm sun and mingling happily and contentedly as they watched a variety of spectacular events across the City Park.

Once again Bradford District emerges from under its bushel to amaze and delight us all and is set fair to go from strength to strength.