Madam, - May I correct Kenneth B Robinson's erroneous "confirmation" (September 5th) that "Dublin's traffic problems are due to the now infamous 'school run'".
Dublin's traffic problems are caused by the vast number of drivers who insist on driving single-occupant cars into the city all year round, and not by the "school run" cars, which have several occupants.
The famous London Times headline, "Fog in the Channel - Continent cut off" is an example of the type of thought process by which Mr Robinson arrived at his conclusion.
- Yours, etc,
PAUL KELLY, Royal Canal Terrace, Dublin 7.
Madam, - Might I suggest to Kenneth B Robinson that what is infamous is not the "school run" but the reckless and dangerous attitude of some drivers to the safety of child pedestrians and other road users. In villages, towns, city suburbs and streets, vehicles of all sizes frequently overshoot pedestrian crossings, drive on pavements and charge in convoy through changing lights, even across the path of pedestrians who are crossing correctly. "Workers", who are particularly convinced of their right to take precedence on the road, casually and frequently risk the lives of others more vulnerable than themselves.
Every year at this time clever motoring commentators blame traffic congestion on the returning school traffic. Yet the same motorists think it unseemly to walk, cycle or take public transport themselves, even where it is possible, reliable and quick.
Good planning might have made this all different of course. But in the absence of such planning, perhaps these adult commuters could do the honourable thing and give back the road they have smugly had to themselves all summer. They could valiantly face the hazards they would have child pedestrians and cyclists run. This in turn would leave the roads less congested for the legitimate use of the parents (and teachers) of babies and small children responsibly and safely to make their way to school.
- Yours, etc,
CATHRIONA RUSSELL, Palmerstown, Dublin 20.