From television and the newspaper, you learn that the number of accidents

is escalating year by year. It is claimed that this is because of the increasing

number of vehicles on the roads. However, you feel that something can be
done to reduce the incidence of road accidents so you write a letter to an
English daily to give your suggestions. Below are your suggestions in point
form.
Your suggestions in point form:
o Raise the age on those permitted to hold a licence
o Have more stringent driving tests
o Strictly enforce the speed limit
o Look out for those who drive through red lights and those who
overtake along double lines.
o Check the roadworthiness of older vehicles
o Have heavier penalties for traffic offenders.
When writing the letter to the editor of the newspaper about your
suggestions, you should remember to:
• Write an informal letter using the correct informal letter format
• Use all the points given
• Elaborate on all the points

How to Reduce the Number of Road Accidents

Oo
Jian Hang,
14
52, Jalan 11,
Ka
mpung Valdor,
14
200 Sungai Bakap,
Pu
lau Pinang.

3 August 2008

The New Straits Times,

31, Jalan Riong,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.

Dear Editor,

The spiraling rate of accidents fills me with concern. The authorities

give the reason as the increasing number of vehicles on the roads but I
think the situation can be improved. Below are my suggestions.
 My first suggestion is to raise the age of those permitted to drive or
to ride a motorcycle. At present, a person who is only 17 is allowed to
ride a motorcycle and a person who is only 18 is allowed to ride a
motorcycle and a person who is only 18 is allowed to drive a car. At such
a young age, a person is still too immature to realize his or her
responsibility when riding a motorcycle or driving a car. The permissible 1
age should be raised by at least two years. If such people are two years
older, they are more mature and responsible.
My second suggestion is make the driving tests more stringent.
Presently the driving tests are very easy to pass. Many people who are
not good at handing their vehicles are allowed to ride or drive them. The
inevitable results is more accidents.

My third suggestion is to enforce the speed limit law strictly. One

police chief said on television that the major cause of road accidents is
speeding. The police should always be on the lookout for speeding. Have
speed traps in dangerous stretches of roads. Motorcyclists or motorist
who are caught speeding should de fined very heavily. Imprisonment
should also be considered. Punish severely those who speed again. Such
a heavy punishment will also frighten others into not speeding.

Two other major causes of accidents are not stopping at red lights
and overtaking along double lines. Police should be at traffic lights and
stretches of roads with double lines to arrest those who break these two
laws. When such people are caught, they should be punished severely.
The punishment should be a heavy fine or a term in prison. When
motorcyclists and motorists see that the police mean business, they will
toe the line and will not dash through red lights or overtake along double
lines.

The police should also periodically check the roadworthiness of

vehicles, especially the older ones. If the vehicles are not in good
condition, do not allow them on the roads. The things in a motorcycle or
a car that must be in good working condition are the break, the lights,
the tyres, the absorbers and the engine. If any one of them is not in good
condition, it can cause an accident.

My next suggestion is that the punishment for traffic offenders

should be heavier. Presently the punishment for traffic offenders should
de heavier. Presently the punishment is too light. The government
should also consider imposing prison terms for those who commit the
more serious offences such as speeding, reckless overtaking and not
stopping at red lights. Heavier punishment will act as a deterrent and it
will decrease the number of accidents.
 I firmly believe that if my suggestions are adopted, the accidents
rate will plummet and there will be less accidents for newspapers and
television stations to report.

Thank you.

Your sincerely,

OO
JIAN HANG
Vocabulary:
Stringent severe mean business
arc serious
Enforce force (someone) to obey the law roadworthiness fit
to be used on the road 2