I agree with Ron Johnston of St Julians (September 26) and, like him, I have held a licence to drive in Australia for the past 40 years. I have not had the experience of driving all the different range of vehicles he mentioned but like him I refuse to drive in Malta for the same reasons.

I have seen drivers break the most basic rules of driving, like failing to stop at a stop sign, driving the wrong way in a one-way street, and the lack of safety, respect and courtesy that is shown to pedestrians is just criminal.

Drivers in Malta must realise that having a driving licence is a privilege not a right.

Maybe the stories I heard that nobody pays fines in Malta because of political and family contacts are true. It has been six years since my last visit and I was hoping that things have changed, but according to Mr Johnston's letter nothing has as far as driving in Malta goes.

Even if my advice is not welcome, I am going to give it anyway. It appears that politicians lack the vision and the ability to deal with this problem. A government that will not tackle and deal with a problem is not fit to govern and that is what is happening in this area, as in all other problems.

Malta needs an adult educational programme on safe driving. Here in Australia we even start with children at school because they are the drivers of tomorrow but the Maltese authorities need to concentrate on current drivers.

Perhaps a merit point system should be introduced where all drivers will be given a number of points and those who break the rules of driving will lose points and also pay a fine. If a driver loses all the points in two years s/he will lose the licence for a period of time and will have to attend an intensive driving training programme and apply for a driving licence again.