I WELCOME the chief constable of Scotland's new focus on re-educating bad drivers at the roadside, rather than necessarily prosecuting them ("Police target bad drivers in 'stop and warn' clampdown", The Herald, October 20).

A stern but friendly word of advice from an experienced traffic officer can certainly do no harm, as in: "See that overtake? That was dangerous. Do you know why?". But I suggest there is an even better approach: "See that overtake? That was dangerous. Let me show you why."

Many years ago I was privileged to learn advanced driving under the first-hand tutelage of experienced and committed traffic police officers. Based on the police driver's handbook Roadcraft, my fellow students and I received eight theory classes, alongside six hour-long practical driving lessons in our own vehicles, accompanied by a traffic officer who would offer constructive criticism, and occasional praise. We then had to pass both theory and practical tests, both to a stringent level. The course was one of the most rewarding and enjoyable I have known, and the invaluable driving skills and techniques which I acquired have stood me in excellent stead ever since.

More importantly, the theoretical input and the practical example demonstrated by committed police traffic officers instilled in me a whole new attitude towards my driving and towards my responsibilities to other road users.

The knowledge and skills of Police Scotland's traffic officers represent a vast and unrivalled pool of expertise which could be used in this way to directly improve the driving standards and attitudes of thousands of drivers. I warrant this would have much a more effective and long-lasting impact than the limited, albeit helpful, initiative now proposed by the chief constable.

I have repeatedly suggested the introduction of such schemes to Police Scotland but they say that they do not regard that as best use of their resources. They prefer to work in partnership with other agencies such as local authorities, the Institute of Advanced Motorists and RoSPA, to educate and inform motorists. Commendable as that is, the input of such organisations is, in my view, no substitute for learning at first hand from the most experienced and expert professional drivers in the country. There would of course be resource implications for Police Scotland, but given the political will I suggest these are not insurmountable, particularly when measured against the likely reduction in casualties and deaths on our roads.

At an individual level, I encourage any motorist who cares about their driving to buy a copy of Roadcraft.

Iain Stuart,

34 Oakbank Crescent, Perth.