I hear that new Transport Minister Philip Hammond has declared an end to the war with motorists. Good to hear. I trust he means it.

Whilst vigour is needed in dealing with reckless, dangerous and irresponsible drivers, there is only one real and effective answer in dealing with the problem. It really is now time for a change – a change which requires a completely new approach towards making all roads safer and to effectively deal with the real villains.

For a start, switch off all these remote speed cameras, but leave them in situ – to act as a monument and a constant reminder of what it was like to have a party politically controlled police service and a non-thinking government apparently unable to think outside the box, except to invent means to exploit drivers.

Mr Hammond should get the police to do what they are paid to do – enforcing firm law and order policies and doing their job by looking people in the eye, instead of just sending out letters. Drivers should also have the opportunity of proper driver education by means of a psychological driving course, as opposed to the ‘failed’ government propaganda course issued by the likes of ‘Official’ Road Safety Partnerships. A Partnership with whom? Police and Politics?

Anyone with a degree of common sense knows that you cannot force people to get an education, let alone via Road Safety Partnerships which dwell on “making” people attend their courses, either by bribery or blackmail.

Instead, may the new government officially negotiate with insurance companies (not leaving it to individual road safety groups and organisations) to dangle a worthwhile carrot in front of drivers who could by those means be “persuaded” by way of huge insurance discounts to attend a psychological driving course – a thinking and entertaining way in which to change a driver’s mind-set forever.

(And please don’t mention the mainly ‘physical’ Pass-Plus Courses which, I am informed, the insurance companies are looking to replace).

Some radical thought is required from Mr Hammond and a psychological approach to driving (drivers) is an excellent way to demonstrate real change and shows initiative.

Adrian Shurmer (former Police and Protection Driving Instructor), Lyndon Avenue, Great Harwood.