JOHN A. CULLINANE,
Madam, - If the State were to prohibit the importation of all motor vehicles that could not be effectively and simply immobilised there would be a considerable saving to a large number of people, as well as to the State.
The crime rate among bored adolescent youths would drop. The number of hours wasted by gardaí and the courts dealing with a problem that has no solution at their disposal would diminish. Injuries to "joy-riders" and those whom they injure would be reduced as would the number of burglaries involving stolen cars.
Car owners and insurance companies would benefit in a very direct way.
If children of 13 and 14 can drive away a supposedly immobilised vehicle with impunity, then the current versions of electronic immobilisers, steering locks and alarms are clearly a waste of time and extra expense.
It might also be worth considering giving these bored young people something to do and somewhere to go in their leisure time. This expenditure would be much less than the apprehension, court costs and residential institutions that are currently in vogue. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN A. CULLINANE,
Coolroe Heights,
Ballincollig,
Cork.