Sir, - In Tim O'Brien's review of the National Road Safety Strategy (The Irish Times, December 23rd) alcohol is mentioned six times and speed seven times. But there is no mention at all of vehicle defects, presumably because, as is well known, they are not a significant factor in road deaths and injuries.
Yet those with older cars are obliged to subject them to the National Car Test. Why? Not for safety reasons, obviously. Hardly for environmental reasons: it would be difficult to argue that pollution and other environmental damage caused by the frenetic production (and global distribution) of new cars to replace old ones is less than that which would result from the continued use of ageing cars. And everyone knows that the NCT constitutes yet another form of discrimination against poorer people.
The NCT, then, can't be justified on environmental or safety grounds, and it is unfair and punitive. It can exist only to enrich those engaged in motor manufacturing and sales, and it is dishonest to suggest otherwise. The NCT, and not the older cars, should be scrapped, now. - Yours, etc., Ruarc Gahan,
Knocknaboley, Hollywood, Co Wicklow.