Sir, - Full marks to Kevin Myers on his relentless campaign to raise awareness of the problem of unqualified drivers on our roads, (An Irishman's Diary, February 9th). Recently my daughter applied for a provisional license. She was requested to undergo a medical exam and an eye exam in order to obtain the licence. I was amazed to find that while the authorities needed evidence of her physical fitness to drive nobody seemed concerned whether she knew the rules of the road!
While physical ability is a necessity, surely knowledge of the theory of driving and rules of the road is even more fundamental? That people can obtain a licence without having to demonstrate any expertise must give all the wrong messages to new drivers. Is this, once again, the proverbial Irish answer to an Irish question. - Yours, etc.,
Eileen Kelly, Seacrest, Galway.