A chara, - Some years ago I rang a radio show about the carnage on our roads. I was laughed out of court when I proposed that governors be fitted to all vehicles to prevent them exceeding the maximum legal speed, 70 m.p.h. I was told this could never happen due to pressure from the motor industry.
Some years ago we were told the same regarding the carnage caused by smoking, but pressure made it illegal to offer cigarettes for sale without a health warning printed on each package. Not alone that, but tobacco companies have been successfully sued by clients who claimed damage to their health.
Surely the carnage on our roads, where 70 per cent of fatal accidents are caused by excessive speed, needs similar drastic action against cars.
It is illegal to drive at over 70 m.p.h. on any road. Surely it is time to put 70 m.p.h. governors on all vehicles, including motorcycles. Ambulances, fire engines and Garda cars could be exempt. This should also apply to Northern Ireland.
As this measure would take some years to implement, I would suggest in the meantime that motor manufacturers be given a "health warning" that they will be legally responsible for any accident by a vehicle travelling over the legal speed limit of 70 m.p.h.
Most of the Japanese used cars imported to Ireland had been fitted with alarm bells which ring when the vehicle exceeds the legal Japanese speed limit of about 60 m.p.h., but most owners in Ireland had this device removed in a short time. - Is mise, Eanna MacCuinneaga
Cathach Books,
Duke Street,
Dublin 2.