Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Tom Power, Limerick:
What is the potential for opening a third lane on dual carriageways? We could convert the middle section of the road to a third lane and put in a decent barrier instead of the hedges.
Sounds like a reasonable idea and one which would make more sense than outlaying more taxpayers' money for the purchase of land and planning appeals. However, according to the National Roads Authority (NRA), we are already adequately catered for in terms of roads, apart from the M50.
The only expansion plans on the horizon are for the M50, says Caroline O'Brien of the NRA. However, these are at an early stage. The NRA says that the remaining network is designed to cater for the projected growth in traffic need for the next 20 years.
If the hedge and "chicken wire" fence which makes up the central reservation were to be new lanes, they would have to be replaced by steel or concrete barriers.
From Sean M Ryan, Glenageary:
I have a 1996 Nissan Almera and, if I leave any of the car lights on leaving the car, an audible beep beep alerts me. There are times when, due to the position of the sun, or maybe traffic conditions, I might have difficulty in seeing the speedometer, and could inadvertently, exceed the speed limits. It occurs to me, that it should be possible to connect the wiring system to the speedometer in such a way that a similar, but different, audible signal would alert me to the 30 mph limit - and a different signal again for the 60 mph limit. Such audible signals would mean that I wouldn't have to take my eyes off the road to see the speedometer. What do you think?
It seems a good idea, and the technology is basic for such a system, but we have doubts about its success. Some cars already feature a speed limit warning system, which sounds a buzzer and flashes a warning light. Drivers set the speed limit in these systems before they leave. The benefits arise on the motorway as it lets you maintain a legal speed without speedometer-watching, an increasingly dangerous habit on Irish roads. Another way is by using cruise-control. The problem arises when entering 40 mph zones or 30 mph zones. Do you reprogramme the system? Unlikely.
A more advanced version of your suggested buzzer system is used by Axa insurance in a programme for young drivers. It features a buzzer to let you know when you have exceeded the speed limit and uses satellite navigation to identify the speed limit at your location. But the real reason is to monitor drivers' speeding habits.
Your suggestion seems like a good idea, but the buzzer could drive you demented, and it would have to operate through a satellite navigation system or some form of mapping technology in order to distinguish between the various speed limits.
From Brendan Costigan:
Just to let you know I have a Britax Isofix duo baby seat and find this system great. I can swap the seat from the current Primera to a 00 Megane hatch (both Isofix compatible) in under three minutes. No problems with seatbelts, and seat locks on solid to anchor points. Also the list of manufacturers is increasing all the time. http://www.britax.co.uk/isofix/isofix.htm
You are fortunate in having access to two cars with Isofix standardised seats in the rear. According to our colleague Donal Byrne, your experience borders on the unique, as a surprising number of manufacturers still do not have this compatibility. Byrne says that the latest Britax list of cars compatible with the Duo Isofix seat does not feature the ranges from BMW, Daihatsu and Fiat. Nor is the Ford Focus on the list.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie