Sir, - Great credit must be accorded to Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, February 9th) for again reminding us of the travesty and tragedy of deaths on Irish roads caused by ongoing lip service to the law of the land. That provisional licence holders can drive unaccompanied and mostly unhindered by either gardai or insurance companies is an indictment on all responsible citizens of this State. The finger points at successive governments for not implementing their own laws and at the same time at the public for not demanding politicians to act accordingly.
Zero tolerance keeps popping up in my mind but obviously those who matter and who promulgated the phrase think otherwise. I challenge anyone to name me one other country where such blatant disregard for a law enacted for the safety of all road users would go so visibly unenforced.
When will we see the introduction of the much talked about (but with little apparent action) penalty points system? It is needed today. I cannot believe that it requires a constitutional change to implement. In the meantime more people will lose their lives needlessly as a result. Prospective representatives campaigning at the next election, whatever their party affiliation, need to be asked what action they will take to reduce the carnage on our roads (I know I will ask them). We owe it to the Kelly families. - Yours, etc.,
John Burnett, Eversleigh, Upper Kilmoney Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork.