The answer to illegal use of minimotos (The Argus, March 12) is simple.

If a person uses a motor vehicle in a public place (not necessarily a road) they have to have a conformity certificate, motor insurance and a driving licence.

Obviously, the youngsters riding these minimotos don't have any of the above.

They can't get any form of driving licence until they are 17 years of age, and they can't make insurance contracts until they are 18. They can't use a petrol pump until they are 16.

So the answer is: don't get at the kids, get at the parents. Someone bought that minimoto for the child to ride. Someone bought the petrol to put in the tank.

Someone allowed the child to ride it. That someone is the parent.

It is a crime to aid, abet, counsel, or procure anyone to commit any offence. The penalties are the same for the rider as for the aider, abettor, counsellor, procurer, causer or allower.

These are heavy fines and penalty points. That's penalty points on the child's driving record waiting for them to be 17, and penalty points on the parent's licence.

The law allows up to nine penalty points for no insurance.

Think what that will do to dad's insurance premium.

Buying a minimoto for a child is causing them to have it.

Allowing them out to ride it is allowing them to use it.

Buying it and the petrol for it is aiding and abetting. No one has to go to court, as the police can use fixed penalty notices to child and parent.

The real problem is the ability of the police to catch them, but that's another story.

  • Albert Edward, Ovingdean, Brighton