MANY motorists will readily agree that the police's VIP unit members, who escort ministers and other senior government officials, tend to be overzealous - if not uncourteous - on the road.

MANY motorists will readily agree that the police's VIP unit members, who escort ministers and other senior government officials, tend to be overzealous - if not uncourteous - on the road.

Unfortunately the numerous collisions and incidents of road rage, in which these officers have been involved, have not helped to improve the public image of the unit, which performs an important function.

This week a member of this unit was sentenced to a two-year prison term for killing a man in a road accident - a sequel that should serve as an example to other colleagues prone to reckless driving on the road.

Thus, not surprisingly, the officer concerned should expect little sympathy from a public weary of episodes of cowboy driving involving his colleagues on the road.

Not all members of the unit behave uncivilly on the road. The unit must clean up its image by reining in officers who act with impunity on the road.