I HAVE every faith in the police's 'determined to stop the menacing activity of driving under the influence of drink and drugs', (Police warning motorists', Bury Times, December 22).

However, as for 'the courts will have no sympathy on the punishment they receive' - I'll believe it when I see it.

It seems no matter how hard the police try to stamp out the drink-drive menace, it comes back worse than ever.

At the start of the year, penalties could be based on the number of lives lost in the previous year, and should be earnings related. A simple formula: annual drink-drive death toll x blood alcohol x one day's pay, eg with 50 lives lost; driver twice the limit; on a £50 a day = £5,000 fine, with time in prison being - death toll x twice limit ie 100 days (first offence community service, second offence prison).

When did a drink-driver ever receive the maximum fine of £5,000 and imprisonment? The day one does, I'll drop my pants on the town hall steps. How might magistrates view this gesture? A menace to society - 12 months in jail and placed on the sex offenders register for 12 months.

Drink-drivers are a menace that we need shut of once and for all. All the bench has to do is press the button.

RESPONSIBLE DRINKER