Sir, - Yet again the bank holiday weekend saw a series of deaths and injuries on our roads. Frankly, I am not surprised!
On Easter Sunday, when driving to Connemara and I was appalled at the sheer carelessness and dangerous antics of drivers who obviously had no respect for other road users. During a 180mile journey, I was forced to "hug" the hard shoulder, if there was one, or the ditch, no fewer than 15 times. The most common incidents were drivers overtaking against oncoming traffic. Interestingly, many recent fatal accidents have been head-on collisions.
While Garda speed checks are having some effect, perhaps their efforts could be enhanced by ordinary road users, on the lines of Neighbourhood Watch. As many drivers have mobile phones, the Garda could issue local freefone numbers to which dangerous drivers could be reported and then picked up at checkpoints. However, drivers reporting others would of course have to find a safe place to stop before making their calls! - Yours, etc.,
Colm Browne,
Ardagh Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.