Reader Letters: Boy racers, cures for depression and slowcoach veterans

Geared to fail

I had an enlightening conversation with a young man of 18 who has crashed four cars in a year — each one a write-off (“Crash position”, Letters, May 22). I asked him why he kept careering into hedges and walls. It appears that when he was a learner he was never taught to change down through the gears; to slow he just stands on the brakes (even in top gear, in the wet or on ice).

I wonder if this explains why so many young drivers hare around our country lanes, hoping for the best.

Heather Tanner, Earl Soham, Suffolk

Depression misunderstood

Jeremy Clarkson says the Mazda MX-5 is a “cure for depression” and “you just can’t be in a bad mood when you’re driving it” (“The attack bunny has hearts thumping”, May 22). Since when has depression been as trivial as a bad mood? It’s disappointing that misconceptions about this illness are still very much alive.

Janet Chester, Abergele, Conwy

Need for speed

Slow drivers cause many motorists to take undue risks. I live in the Cotswolds and frequently get stuck behind a veteran driver going 15-20mph. We should all be reassessed for a driving licence every 10 years; owning one is not a God-given right.

JW Price, via email

Browse NEW or USED cars for sale on driving.co.uk

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