AIDAN COYLE,
Madam, - When the Garda Síochána starts to issue penalty points and fines against senior politicians, judges, rock stars and off-duty members of the force, I will start to believe it is serious about road safety.
Until then I am of the opinion that this is little more than a public relations exercise designed to distract people from the real problems of crime and lawlessness in our country. The only way we are going to get a decent police service is when we have senior law officers who believe the law should be applied to everyone equally, and not only to ordinary members of the public. - Yours, etc.,
AIDAN COYLE,
Glencairn Glade,
Leopardstown,
Dublin 18.
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Madam, - While I cannot endorse the tone of Justin Hynes's article in your Weekend Review of November 2nd, I do appreciate his drawing attention to the fact that there is more to road deaths than the simple question of speed. However, I think he overlooks one important aspect of the new system. That is the morale boost it will give to gardaí. It is much easier to accumulate an impressive list of convictions with the aid of a speed camera than by detecting crime.
It has been my misfortune to have been burgled on five occasions. Only one of the thieves was ever identified. He was obliging enough to drop a paper outside my window. It bore his name and address, and was his summons to court to answer other charges.
I should be interested to know, though I suppose I never shall, the impact of the new traffic points system on the general crime statistics. By now the petty criminals must have realised that, with all the extra time needed for checking speed, imposing fines, and listing points, the Garda will have even less time available to worry them. The Minister has not, I think, suggested any increase in personnel to cope with the extra work. - Yours, etc.,
D.A. LEVISTONE COONEY,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - I would like to compliment Justin Hynes for his honest, witty and thought-provoking article on speeding and the new penalty points system.
I would also like to ask why most Garda speed checks take place on primary roads - i.e., our best roads - during daylight hours, yet the vast majority of fatal accidents happen on secondary roads between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m? - Yours, etc.,
MARK McKEEVER,
Leopardstown,
Dublin 18.