Sir, Statistics would suggest that 4 per cent of road accidents involving motor vehicles are caused by mechanical defects 40 per cent are caused by excessive speed.
In his wisdom, the Minister for Transport and the Environment has decided to introduce an MOT (DOE) test to reduce the 4 per cent of road deaths. No substantial steps have been taken to reduce the 40 per cent caused by speeding.
To reduce these would involve little cost the speed limits are there and should be enforced. The suggested fee of £40 for DOE testing (more than twice the fee charged in Northern Ireland) will be a handy fee earner for the lucky franchisees appointed by the Minister. It will have an imperceptible effect on road accident statistics.
I do wish the Minister would get his priorities right. Yours, etc., The Rise, Mt Merrion.