Editor:

Re: "Timely seasonal message" article in Nov. 29 Times.

Over the past 20 or more years, the RCMP and other organizations have put out the request, to the public, to please assist the RCMP, or other police forces, by reporting driving offences, such as driving under the influence or committing other driving infractions. It has been my experience that as desirable as this may be, it doesn't work.

It seems like the police cannot take these kind of reports from the public seriously, possibly because whatever has been reported is not serious enough to take up the time to investigate and prosecute.

If issued tickets are disputed, the issuing officer is required to be present in court, to make it stick. This takes up the officer's time, and it may not be convenient for him to be present. It is my understanding that if the officer is not present in court, to give evidence, the probability of a successful conviction is nil.

Considering the driving habits of many of our Chilliwack drivers, it appears that more of a police presence on our streets would be more effective.

Every day you can see drivers speeding, blowing through red lights, stop signs, illegal passing, etc.

It appears that traffic laws are unenforceable. We seem to have a large portion of our populace who believe they are above the law and are quite arrogant about it, as can be seen by their one-fingered salutes.

Richard Parent

Chilliwack