On our roads - 18,000 drivers with no insurance, 7500 with 12 points and more - bring back the 'Black Rats'.

I may not have said this 25 to 30 years ago when police traffic patrols were 'all over' our roads but nowadays when we dont see any of them in a week of driving.

Its becoming obvious that we need them urgently back patroling the motorways and A roads at least before 'Mumbai chaos' or 'Moscow rage' sets in for good (as it appears in some of our towns and cities).

These 'Black Rats' as I remember (not a derisory term as many were proud to be known by this name) would ensure several miles of traffic would behave simply by being there and they each had an experienced nose for those who were uninsured, drunk, or perhaps were driving a stolen car.

Then the DVLA depended on them to ensure no one had more than 12 points on their licence, the insurance companies also relied on them that 'no insurance' would not be tolerated and even the chancellor earned a lot for his exchequer from the efforts of these officers.

With no money in the pot however to support such a plea it remains an ideal that would clearly make it fairer to us who obey the law and of course we would all feel much safer on the roads.