I AM writing in response to PD Somerville's criticism of my On The Road column in which I pointed out that driving near home can be dangerous because motorists can switch off when in familiar territory.

He argues that the fact that many accidents happen near to home is not due to familiarity but the simple fact that most journeys occur near to home; and he asks what the point of the column was.

I would like to explain that the last three paragraphs of the article were cut during production of the newspaper.

The point of the story was made in these missing paragraphs.

My point was that about 85 per cent of accidents involving children occur in built-up areas. Kids play outside their houses on residential estates that are often cluttered with parked cars, making it difficult for drivers to see them.

I was trying to stress how important it is that drivers do not allow the fact that they are nearly home to dull their senses because housing estates are rife with hazards.

You can read the unedited version of the column on the BFP website at www.bfp.co.uk/ columnists/ontheroad

Audrey Wixon Director Wycombe Driving School