I WOULD like to reply to Mrs AE Carr (HAS, May 12) and to A Elgie who posted a comment on Mrs Carr's letter.

Speaking on behalf of the Darlington Group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) - no relation to the National Association of Advanced Drivers quoted by Mrs Carr - it is a sad indictment of the insurance industry that few insurers are prepared to give a discount to car drivers who are demonstrably safer drivers than the norm and hence less likely to be involved in a collision.

This is odd because motorcycle insurers ask if riders have an Advanced Motorcycling Test certificate and give discounts for having one.

Both Mrs Carr and A Elgie can be assured, however, that the Advanced Driving Test certificate is anything but a worthless piece of paper. What it shows is that the holder has, among other skills, excellent observation and awareness, drives in a confident, safe manner, observes speed limits and is able to respond to the actions of other drivers in a safe and restrained manner.

Surely, in today's traffic conditions, £85 (£75 for under-25s) spent on an advanced driving course is worth far more than, say, ten per cent off your insurance premium?

Nick Rees, Group Contact, Darlington Group, IAM.