HELPDESK: Michael McAleer answers all your motoring queries
From Lloyd Courtney, Dublin: Ive seen and heard arguments recently along the lines that we'd be better off if all the traffic lights were taken down (in urban areas anyway) as at this stage all they do is get in the way and annoy people.
Nice idea, but what fool is ever going to put their head on the block and try it?
It seems that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council would. Well, maybe not intentionally.
Down the road from me in Deansgrange there's a pretty busy crossroads with traffic lights, filter lanes, pedestrian crossings and the like. Life went on as normal until the other week when the whole place was dug up and the lights were taken out of action.
This is usually temporary and there's often a few workmen with STOP/GO signs to take up the strain. But it been the best part of a week now and the lights are still out.
You know what, everything is fine. Friends of mine say that it doesn't take half as long to get through any more. My own experience is that people are slowing down and taking more care - even being polite.
I have even experienced traffic stop to allow me to make a right turn that previously needed a filter light that worked on a lunar cycle. People have begun to act like people again and not like drivers. Down with traffic lights I say.
It's an interesting idea, and it's actually something that has been trialled elsewhere and is being actively considered by the Dublin Transportation Office.
Its director, John Henry, in an interview with The Irish Times in June, said he wants to remove traffic lights, direction signs, pedestrian crossings and guard rails in the city centre to see what happens. "Without any signs, traffic will automatically slow down and there will be fewer crashes because drivers will take more care," he said.
"It's psychological. Signs like 'slow', 'stop' and 'yield' are often not seen by drivers. If you take the signs and kerb lines away, and say 'go figure it out yourselves', you're creating uncertainty - and that's safer."
A similar experiment was carried out several years ago in the Dutch town of Drachten, and it was also tried in Kensington High street three years ago.
At the time, Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins noted how: "Drivers undirected by signs, kerbs or road markings are faced with confusion and ambiguity. Since they don't want to cause accidents at junctions, or damage their cars, they reduce their speed and establish eye contact with other users."
From Liam OBrien, Co Cork: My wife has back trouble and changed to a 1998 Fiat Punto, which gave her more comfort because of the high seating arrangement in that model. She subsequently changed to a newer model Renault Scenic (because of growing family) which gives the same comfort because of the height of the vehicle.
I am about to change my car and I am looking for a car that would be suitable for her to drive, also in the 1.2-litre to 1.4-litre range as she gets back pain when driving my current Skoda Felicia.
I'd appreciate if you could list ones that would be suitable, as there may be others apart from the above that could be considered.
I can't recall the Punto having a good seating position for people with back trouble, but that's good to know. Other cars I have heard good reports about in this regard include the Honda Jazz, Mazda2, Mercedes A-Class (if you can stretch the budget), and the new Opel Corsa. The other three are recent launches, but the Jazz is being replaced later this year so there should be room for negotiation on price with the dealer.
From F Swords, Dublin: None of the information I have seen about the new tolls on the M50 makes any reference to motorbikes.
Will they still pay a toll? If so, how much, and how will this be collected?
Motorcyclists are no longer tolled on the M50: yet another reason why taking to two wheels in the city seems increasingly attractive to so many commuters.
From D O'Neill: Could you please point me in the right direction re appealing a VRT calculation? I have already paid and am sure the valuation used was over the top.
The Revenue offer a useful guide on their website at: www.revenue.ie/leaflets/vrt6.htm