Sir, - As a recently retired member of An Garda Siochana, I am appalled at the road carnage in the country for the past few years. Having completed no less than six driving courses/tests - from motor cycle to bus courses, and I am still learning - I have never experienced driving as it is today.
Most people are right when they say that it is speed that kills. But it is the vast variety of speeds that is mainly contributing to this situation, or rather the lack of any uniformity in keeping the general flow of traffic at the same pace. We see constant, dangerous and careless overtaking, dangerously done at byroads on the right and even at road junctions. If traffic cannot overtake on your right it will very often overtake on the hard shoulder on your left. The illegal travelling of heavy trucks in convoy and at speeds far in excess of their limit is another factor that creates a dangerous situation for everyone. Add to this the total lack of knowledge of the proper use of roundabouts, and you have a chaotic situation.
It is not alone the lack of uniformity in our driving but also in our roads system that causes problems. The sudden changes from motorway to two-way system to narrow windy road do not always result in changes of speed. The so-called "calming obstacles" on our roads very often have the opposite effect. After motorists have slowed down at bollards, they try to make up for it with excessive speed once back on open road. Also, the fact that the bollards are not always easily visible makes them a dangerous obstacle on the road.
The only way to stop the slaughter is the appointment of 40 gardai per division, designated to traffic only, with similar equipment as their English counterparts to enforce rigidly the present traffic laws, with particular attention to high risk accident areas. Staggered checkpoints should be operated around the various divisions instead of static ones, so that motorists are liable to encounter them anywhere in the country.
There should be weekly TV and radio programmes on good driving and road use and regular radio debates on the subject. A road safety consultancy to oversee the lot should be set up.
There is no other way to stop the so-called Celtic tiger who has found his way onto the roads of this country with all his killer instincts. - Yours, etc., Pat Lee,
Rosscahill, Co Galway.