SHOULD we "shop" a drink-driver? (The Thing Is, December 17).
This issue raises not one, but two separate questions to be answered.
Have we a duty to inform the police when we know that a drink-driving offence is being committed? Yes. Indeed if we do not report this crime, we are equally to blame if an accident occurs, and share the guilt for the consequences.
Should we accept money for doing our citizen's duty? I would say no, but if it works so be it; however, £500 seems a lot to pay the informants. The money, I would suggest, should go to a charity set up to help victims or their dependants.
Habitual drink-drivers are not put off by fines, and it is scandalous how many keep their licences. On conviction they should be made to attend the hospital casualty wards and mortuaries which deal with the results of drinking and driving.
John Robson,
Dringthorpe Road,
Dringhouses, York.
Updated: 11:50 Friday, December 20, 2002
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