Letter: How to curb car pollution

Tuesday 03 June 1997 23:02 BST

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Sir: There is a simple strategy for Glenda Jackson to consider ("Fewer car journeys urged to cut down the smog", 31 May). Raising the age for holding a driving licence would significantly reduce the number of recreational car users. There would be added benefits for road safety, because young drivers are statistically the most dangerous, and increased walking might even improve youth fitness.

There would be minimal political cost because by the time we reached an election, the disgruntled generation of carless teenagers would have become old enough to drive. Add to this the reduction on parental stress because 17-year-olds would not be demanding a car for Christmas and you have a politically perfect policy.

Dr CHRIS WILLIAMS

School of Education

The University of Birmingham

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Letter: How to curb car pollution

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