Michael McAleeranswers your questions
From Mark Cox, Dublin:
I understand that a new EU directive on noise pollution will come into effect this July and it will include a ban on modified exhaust pipes on cars. Is there any indication as to how this will be enforced in Ireland? Is enforcement the responsibility of local authorities, the gardaí or the NCT service?
As it stands there is an EU Council Directive 70/157/EEC concerning the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles which is due to come into effect from July 6th, 2008, and member states are obliged to adopt and publish, by July 5th at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. From our understanding of the regulations, anyone with type-approved aftermarket exhausts has little to worry about, but those who may be affected will be those who attempt to modify their exhaust systems through removing things like reactive silencers.
However, as it stands it is unclear as to how this would be enforced, although Galway firm ICAN Acoustics told The Irish Times that the technology exists to perform roadside tests and it could also be easily incorporated into the National Car Test.
From Kieran Egar, Co Dublin:
Your comments in last Wednesday's HelpDesk about choosing between the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic hybrid were of particular interest to me, as I made a decision between these two last December.
I agree with your comments about the looks and performance of the Honda, but an important difference between these cars is the fact that the Honda does not drive on battery power alone, the electric motor being only an "assist" to the petrol engine.
I came down in favour of the Prius, which has a more sophisticated system with an elegantly simple coupling of petrol/ electric drives.
The ability to drive to 1.5km on battery power alone was an attraction, and as a user of electronic speed control of electric motors for many years (as a professional electrical engineer), I appreciate the high reliability of these systems.
Incidentally, I notice that I am now driving with an ever more gentle foot on the accelerator, perhaps trying to prevent that petrol engine from starting up too early.
I look forward to the day when the hybrid will have a battery of significantly greater capacity, with plug-in facility, and with perhaps a small efficient easy-start diesel.
Then perhaps we could do all our local driving on electric power only.
The direction being taken by most of the battery technicians is to primarily increase the lifetime of the batteries and their size rather than the range.
According to engineers we have spoken to, most believe that a car running solely on battery power for 40 miles is adequate for the vast majority of journeys. After that a small petrol or diesel engine can be used to recharge it directly.
As for the day when you will have a plug-in facility, that's likely by the turn of the decade. Several car firms are preparing to introduce plug-in facilities on models for launch in 2010. Watch this space.
The most concentrated engineering seems to be in shrinking electric motors, such as wiper controls and the like. Conquering size issues is the focus of attention at present, rather than better range.
From PH:
I read with interest the article in Motors on January 30th, 2008, and also your response to RD in last Wednesday's edition. Like many motorists, I was caught speeding on the M1 between the Port Tunnel and the airport interchange on October 13th, 2006 and again on October 24th, 2006.
Both offences happened at 1pm with virtually no traffic and I have not been contacted by the gardaí.
Following the article on January 30th I telephoned the general enquiries number of driver licensing in Ballina and was informed that the correct bylaw was in place at the time of my offences and hence I have not been notified.
However, in the response last Wednesday Patrick Logue, who wrote the original article, wrote in the Helpdesk that there were two other periods of time when the correct laws were not in place and the dates above are during one of those periods.
Yesterday I telephoned the Garda Traffic Division to try and get some clarity and unfortunately most of the response from them was vague and not at all helpful.
I was advised that I should present myself at Dublin Castle with a copy of the relevant bylaw and I was told there are at least 20 of these.
Any advice or assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated and if I am successful I will donate any refund of fines to the charity of your choice.
Paddy Logue informs us that: "the reader should contact Fingal County Council who can supply him with the bylaw information, but he should initially write - do not phone - to the Garda Traffic Division. They will be obliged to respond (although it may take some time). In terms of the chronology as we know it:
- November 14th, 2006 - Temporary "roadworks speed limit" introduced
- December 20th, 2006- Port Tunnel opens to traffic
- May 14th, 2007 - Temporary "roadworks speed limit" introduced expires
- June 20th, 2007 - Temporary "roadworks speed limit" renewed
- November 13th, 2007 - speed limit becomes permanent.
Again, the advice would be to contact Fingal County Council and then write to the Garda Traffic Division about the points you have incurred, sending a copy of the previous correspondence you have received on the subject.
o Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2, or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie