Letters of the week, January 4
The issues that got you talking this week
Snowed under
With regard to seasonal motoring advice (“Winter driving tips, whatever the weather”, December 21), I was glad to see that you mentioned clearing your car roof of snow, just a few inches of which can be downright dangerous if left unattended. As the vehicle warms up, the snow melts and sharp braking can then cause an avalanche to cover your windscreen, depriving you of all visibility — with potentially lethal results. Alternatively it slithers off backwards and covers the car behind in an unwelcome shower.
Stuart Firth, Ripponden, West Yorkshire
Paper trail
I was intrigued by your feature on the discontinuation of paper licences and the possible consequences (“Plans to scrap paper driving licence folded away”, News, December 21), specifically car-hire companies’ concern that they need the paper part to complete the transaction. I have hired vehicles annually in European countries for years and have never been asked to produce the paper part of my licence.
Dr Anthony Ingleton, Sheffield
Tailgater fix
Your reader Paul Milner rightly cites tailgating as a serious menace (“Mind the gap”, Points, last week). My answer is very ostentatiously to adjust my mirror and then by dint of exaggerated head movements show that the miscreant is under observation. More often than not it works because so many drivers are on autopilot. I have even known it to work in France, where tailgating is a national pastime.
Tim Burnham, Ticehurst, East Sussex
Slow off the mark
Sorry, Mr Milner, but tailgating is not the biggest menace on our roads. People pootling along far too slowly without any concern for those stuck behind them is by far the worst menace, especially on roads where it is difficult or impossible to overtake safely. If you are not experienced or competent enough to drive at a reasonable speed for the circumstances, then please acknowledge any drivers behind you that wish to pass and indicate to let them overtake when it is safe. That used to be accepted practice in the old days, when we had a hand signal to encourage drivers behind to overtake.
William Pendlebury, Stambourne, Essex
In the dark
Can someone please start educating drivers of newer cars with daytime lights that you still need to switch your main lights on when it gets dark, as the rear ones are not illuminated? I see at least one vehicle every evening driving without proper lights and posing a risk to other road users.
Parag Bhargava, Osterley, London
