l While the Saudi authorities are clearly going too far in administering corporal punishment to women drivers, the underlying prohibition seems sound. Were the UK to ban women drivers, the societal benefits would be manifold. Roads budgets could be slashed due to less wear and tear on the resulting empty roads, unemployment would be cut at a stroke as the more affluent rushed to employ male drivers and the school-run would become a thing of the past, leading to increased juvenile fitness. That it would also make a major contribution to road safety goes without saying! JOHN DOUGLAS, Address supplied