Sir, - The only possible reason I can see for fitting heavy metal bull-bars to light vans, some cars and most four-wheel drive road-going vehicles is to inflict as much damage and destruction as possible on the other vehicle in the event of a crash. They are located at a height that would ensure the crushing of the passenger compartment of a standard small car if hit from the side or rear.
Most owners purchase and fit these bull-bars in order to turn their standard vehicles into "Rambo wagons" and probably imagine they are driving across rough mountain terrain pushing wild animals out of their way when in reality all they are doing is looking for a parking space in St Stephen's Green. In the interest of road safety the owners should remove them and the authorities should ban their use. - Yours, etc., Tony MacGabhann,
Greystones, Co Wicklow.