READER'S OPINION: Ownership age of motor vehicles should be raised to 21

In particular I was totally against targeting the aged. They already get hit as it is. Try going abroad when you’re a wrinkly. The insurance cover required makes it almost prohibitive.

During the winter of their lives the last thing they need are yet more obstacles, although I would suggest a free regular medical check for the over-80s wouldn’t go amiss, just to determine their faculties are conducive to driving with due care and attention. Other than that they should not be victimised.

But with things as they are, we must put some restrictive practices in place. Here are but a few.

Together with the driving test, ownership of all motor vehicles and motorcycles should be raised to 21. Any effect this has on commercial transport would have to be addressed.

Garages were built for cars, not junk. Owners should be required to use them for their intended purpose. Double yellow lines should be laid outside properties with garages or driveways and a drop off/pick-up time introduced. At night all commercial vehicles should remain at their workplace, not parked in the street.

If tram systems or monorails prove too expensive, more out-of-town floodlit and security-manned park and rides should be provided.

All vehicle owners with no parking facilities should use them and their council tax be hiked to those with garages. Since the volume of parking would be high, further charges could be kept to a minimum.

And what happened to the much-maligned traffic warden? They could help with some of this. Time they were reintroduced.

These are but a few suggestions, all of which will be unpopular. Space won’t allow for any more, so I’ll close with this modified version of a Geoffrey Brooking favourite. God Bless the United Kingdom. We’re jolly well going to need it.

*This letter was submitted to The News by Russ Withey, of Dominie Walk, Lee-on-the-Solent