AMIR Khan might be an "excellent role model for us all" (The Bolton News, April 4), but that hasn't always been the case.

Like many a young man, he fell in love with powerful motor cars and disregarded the rules of the road and his own and others' safety.

Indeed, in one instance, he caused a man serious injury.

To be fair, though, he held his hands up and hopefully he's now a responsible, law abiding driver - as I hope all his friends are, too.

Around 1,000 young men are killed on our roads every year in speed-related crashes.

Influential people like Amir Khan could do much to make our roads safer - just as he has tried to do with the railways by helping educate young people about the dangers of playing on, or near, the railway tracks.

Amir's boxing story could, and should, give a very clear message to us all, and indeed to the Department of Transport.

As talented a boxer as he was in 2004, when he won an Olympic silver medal, he was nowhere near ready to challenge for a world title.

With responsible and knowledgeable people to guide him, he will only fight for a world title when he has all the capability and skills needed to fight at this level.

Isn't this the way it should be with driving?

Young men, no matter how well off they are, should not be allowed to drive powerful cars until they can prove that they are mature and responsible enough to do so and are respectful of everyone's safety on the road.

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