Sir, - Rober Wormald (August 6th) talks about showing courtesy, care and consideration when driving, and about people's differing perceptions and needs. Well, when driving at the maximum permitted speed limit, and having left a decent space in front of me, I still find many a lunatic overtaking me when there is on-coming traffic, expecting me to shove over into the hard shoulder to facilitate them.
There are many reasons why people drive more slowly than speed limits allow. I have been tailgated and hooted at for going at 45 m.p.h. on an unfamiliar and winding road in wet, dark conditions. Maybe those who cannot control their tempers because they are prevented from driving as fast as they like should not be in charge of a motor vehicle.
Finally, do those who complain about supposedly unnecessary speed restrictions on some dual-carriageways ever think there might be reasons besides safety on the road itself for such limits? Walk through any suburban park or sit out in your garden (if you live in a city and have one) and listen to the hum. It's not the bees, it's traffic. Now imagine that your house backs onto a dual carriageway, which many do in Dublin. The hum becomes a roar. Slowing down traffic helps reduce noise. Think of people other than just motorists. - Yours, etc.,
Jennifer Wann, Viking Road, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.