14 MAY 1954, Page 14

SIR,—As a recent successful candidate for the Ministry of Transport's

driving test, I have read your correspondence upon the magistrate and the motorist with great interest. My know- ledge of the Highway Code still fresh in my mind makes me more and more aware of its comprehensive excellence in all matters of road safety. I humbly suggest that if legisla- tion could be introduced to impose arbitrary punishment, say a small fine, upon any road user who was guilty of a breach of the Code it might have an immediate and beneficial effect. At present the Code has no legal sig- nificance except as evidence.

I understand from the Automobile Associa- tion's handbook that by the Highway Act of 1835 any individual may, without a warrant, arrest any person driving to the public danger. This appears to me to be an excellent oppor- tunity for some courageous citizen to create a useful precedent.—Yours faithfully,

C. L. J. LEANEY