Apropos of the news story “Sterner penalty for using cellphone while driving” (THT, December 4, Page 2), this is indeed very good step. As a strict law-abiding driver, rider and pedestrian, nothing infuriates me more than watching ‘peasant’ drivers holding mobile phone with one hand and steering wheel with another in the traffic logjam or worse, still around the bends with total contempt for other living beings including dogs. The culprits include thuggish taxis, tempos, trucks, Tata mobiles: micro, mini and big buses - public, private, tourist, school, city, long-distance etc: private cars, SUVs, vans etc. The offenders belong to all three genders - males, females and LGBT - of all social and economic strata, class and ethnicity. Still worse are the two-wheelers and even bicycles. Any two-wheeler that sticks a phone inside the helmet must be singled out for instant punishment because of the severe danger they pose to others. The charges for talking while driving must be the same as driving under influence. Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu Blowing horn This has reference to the article “Make polluters pay” (THT, November 30, Page 8). I totally agree with the writer’s statement that air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley is very high. Unnecessary blowing of the horn is one of the disturbing factors that cause the passengers and pedestrians discomfort.Observing closely, it is mostly the young drivers who blow the horn when it is not needed. They should have common sense that blowing the horn in the city areas without any urgency is against the traffic rules. The bike riders show bizarre behavior. But, at the same time, as I can see most of middle aged people they do not easily lose their common sense at a time when they are riding their vehicles. It is the traffic police who can control such mischief and educate the drivers of all kinds. The children and elderly people are the ones who suffer the most when vehicle horns are blown. Police should also fine those who blow the horn even when it is not needed. Saroj Wagle, Bara Decline This is with reference to the news story as “Rate of HIV infections and deaths declining in Nepal”, says report” (THT, December 1, Page 2). Within a period of decade, there has been 22 percent decline in the number of HIV/AIDS patients in Nepal. As per the report of National Center for AIDS and STD control, the total number of patients stood at 27,000 in 2007. Recently it has only been 13,000 which means a sharp decline. In Nepal, entertainment workers, drug addicts, third addicts, third genders, prison inmates and immigrants were found having high risk of carrying HIV infection. For the matter of fact, it is surprising news for a country like Nepal because the disease doesn’t have any medicine to cure though we are living in 21st century which is known as a world of science and technology. Pratik Shrestha, Baneshwor