I like to think of myself as a safe driver indeed I very rarely reach the 30mph speed limit even when driving around town.

Back in the 1970's there were fewer cars on the roads and motoring was more of a leisure activity than a necessity like it is today. This was partly due to people living closer to their places of work.

All those years ago some of the safety measures we consider normal today were not present for example the wearing of seatbelts were not compulsory.

The average motorcar of forty years ago was also lacking air bags or anti-lock brakes indeed my trusty historic car has drum brakes all round rather than modern disc brakes. The brakes use a single circuit system so the slightest leak and all the brakes fail completely!

Regular maintenance of older vehicles is therefore very important.

Back then you had to be a good driver to keep yourself out of danger but the speed of the cars was less than those of today so accidents were not as severe.

Safety measures may have progressed over the years but as I drive around it is amazing how many people are still flouting the basic rules like using a mobile while driving or failing to wear a seatbelt.

According to a news article published on this site last Thursday the police carried out spot safety checks in Desborough Avenue and stopped and fined sixty six motorists for failing to wear seatbelts.

Seven motorists were also fined for using mobile phones.

Rather than using the infernal speed cameras to enforce the rules of the road I think the spot checks are a much better way forward.

A faceless fine through the post from a speed camera doesn't have the same impact that being pulled over by a real policeman does.

Sadly the on-the-spot check is a rare occurrence on the roads of Wycombe indeed I can only remember seeing two taking place in all the time I have been a motorist.

Why doesn't a town the size of Wycombe have a dedicated team of police to consistently carry out spot checks? No doubt the fines raised would more than pay for the operation.

I think the law should be tightened to prevent the playing of loud music in cars as well as banning smoking while driving.

If smoking is dangerous in a building surely it is even more dangerous in a confined space like the interior of a car?

What about the newfangled satellite navigation systems that so many people have today? Surely they are just as distracting as talking on a mobile phone?

As for myself, well, I will keep to the slow lane when it comes to driving. I would rather drive along slowly and enjoy the view of passing countryside out of the window than rush and tear along.

What do you think?