CAR makers are short changing motorists who have to drive in the dark.

Cars are no longer fitted with indicators which work on roundabouts. Instead, you have to study the eyes of the other motorists whirling around the roundabout and try to read their minds about which exit they intend to use.

This is very difficult in the dark.

Handbrakes are not fitted either, forcing the poor driver to sit with their foot on the brake when waiting at traffic lights, thereby dazzling the driver behind with their high-level brake light.

On the subject of dazzling, wouldn't it make more sense to point a car's headlights down to the nearside of the road instead of having one into the sky and the other into the faces of oncoming drivers?

Also, why isn't there a switch to turn the headlights off when you want to park on the wrong side of the road at night to pop into a shop or post a letter? Car manufacturers should get this sorted.

R Aitken,

Alness Drive,

Acomb Park,

York.

...DRIVERS get pulled down enough without letting themselves down! I cannot believe the number of drivers who stupidly, or arrogantly, think driving on sidelights is sufficient in adverse weather.

Many more male drivers than female fall into this category, but let's not criticise any one group.

What we all want are safer roads for all and a vital part of that is see and be seen. It is illegal to drive on sidelights. But for your own safety, look at those cars coming towards you in the fog and rain and note which ones are most difficult to see, those with headlights on or those with silly little sidelights?

As for cyclists with the flashing tail lights, how can anyone expect to be seen in road spray when all they have is a tiny flashing light? All road users should light up at night and be safe.

Mrs A Sked,

Chapel Walk,

Riccall, York.

Updated: 08:56 Saturday, December 20, 2003