Sir, - It is sad to note the number of people killed on our roads in recent days. Obviously, I do not know the circumstances of these accidents. But without wishing to cause more grief to the families of the unfortunate people who died or were badly injured, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that speed was a factor in at least some of the accidents.
I am aware that gardai are trying their best to curb the fast drivers. However, without the support of our court system these efforts will be useless. A few weeks ago The Irish Times reported that a certain district justice had agreed not to convict a number of drivers who had been charged with driving at more that 90 mph provided they made substantial contributions to charity. At the same court, others who could not make such contributions were fined and banned for periods of three to six months.
The non-convicted drivers kept their licences and also kept their insurance companies from finding out that they had been caught driving at more than 30 miles an hour over the speed limit.
Are we now firmly into chequebook justice? -Yours, etc.,
Curragh, Castlebar.