Need to enforce road safety laws

Madam, - Kevin Myers wonders if his various columns on the subject of road safety (or, rather, the lack of it) are a waste of…

Madam, - Kevin Myers wonders if his various columns on the subject of road safety (or, rather, the lack of it) are a waste of time and effort because they generate no letters to you or to him (An Irishman's Diary, January 10th).

I encourage him to keep writing about the lack of political will to take worthwhile action. If he keeps doing it and if the campaign is taken up by other journalists the public might finally begin to accept that far too many of us are being killed and maimed every week on the roads.

Imagine the shock and horror we would feel if an aeroplane full of people crashed and burned in the middle of Ireland. Yet a jumbo-jet sized number of people were killed on the roads last year.

If people realise that this is unacceptable they might come to understand that at least part of the answer is in their own hands. If we care enough we might be able to elect a government that will do what has to be done, regardless of whether or not enforcing the driving laws will lose it votes next time out. Have no doubt: the laws are there already. What we need is the will to enforce them.

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There comes a time, even for politicians, when the right thing has to be done. - Yours, etc,

JIM FINAN, Curragh, Castlebar, Co Mayo.