Recently-announced changes to the driver licensing system in this country have absolutely flabbergasted me.

The Government has said it will drop the practical full driver licence test. It wants to make it easier for young people to get their driver’s licence.

Why are we making things easier for people? Has the Government not seen how may road accidents and road facilities occur annually in this country? Do MPs not encounter all the lunatic driving that is done around this country?

Instead of dropping this practical test I’d like to see more testes done. Just like a WOF (Warrant of Fitness) for a vehicle, drivers should have to complete a WOF driving test every two years. And if they don’t they shouldn’t be able to get motor vehicle insurance for their vehicles. If they don’t attend or fail, then they have to a six-month driving course to retain their driver’s licence.

This way more of you’d weed out more of those drivers who don’t actually know how to drive very well. You’d also catch more people who – as they age – are dangerous driving on our roads.

All this government wants to do is get more people driving in NZ – but they don’t have any regard to limiting the amount of dangerous and unfit drivers are on our roads. It’s unbelievable.

D Smith, Otūmoetai