REGARDING Linda Preston's comments about older drivers (Letters, December 19), yes, in my previous response to her earlier remarks, I did say age does slow you down as a driver.

Not because of an inability to cope, but due to recognition, gathered by experience, of the dangers of thinking that speed limits are the speed you should always travel at, rather than the maximum speed in that particular area.

The Highway Code does say keep up with the speed of the traffic, but it also states travel at a speed which is safe and I have no intention of being forced by the pressure of some boy or girl racer on my tail to travel faster in conditions of fog and inclement weather, or when pavements are crowded by children leaving school.

Since Mrs Preston is such an expert on driving, I thought she would have known that.

I have been surprised by the lack of letters from other oldies like me in response to her remarks, because the number of people who have stopped me and passed agreement on what I have written is amazing -- and shows the number of people who read the letters column.

I do not profess to being a skilful driver and never have -- I am not a bloke who can do a handbrake turn and slot the car into a small place, or even park the car as well as I would like. But all I want to be is a safe driver and that will satisfy me.

And when I no longer believe I am fit for the road, I will voluntarily give up driving. But in the meantime, I have just taken my first flying lesson just for the hell of it -- and, surprise, surprise, there is no age limit for obtaining a licence to fly.

JAMES SAUL, aged 71, Deganwy Avenue, Blackburn.