Gaybo’s young driver curfew idea is foolish and smacks of reverse ageism

YOUR headline ‘Byrne hints at late-night curfew for young drivers’ (August 25) left me gobsmacked.

Is Gay Byrne really serious when he floats out this idea, or is it just headline-grabbing stuff from a man living in the public eye and way above us mere mortals?

Apparently he now thinks there should be a curfew on young drivers between 10 pm and 6 am, restrictions on engine size and on who can be in the car.

These suggestions are very foolish and only perpetuate the “them and us” attitude so prevalent in Ireland now.

Surely Mr Byrne realises young people pay taxes, serve in our army and police forces and contribute to our society in many positive ways – yet he arrogantly suggests they should be subjected to a driving curfew.

Could this be construed as reverse ageism?

Would special exemptions be available for young people working unsocial hours? Would young people have access to a special phone number to seek permission to make an emergency trip between 10pm and 6 am?

Why not take the whole scenario a few steps further and ...

1. Stop all young people having cars until they reach the age of 40.

2. Ban all young people from gathering in groups of two or more.

3. Implant all young people with tracking devices.

4. Introduce Orwellian-style thought control.

5. Stop all people over 65 driving.

Denis Moloney

Kilnagurteen

Macroom

Co Cork