Statistical nonsense goes into overdrive

YOU report that “a dramatic downturn in road deaths since the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing has resulted in the saving of 41 Irish lives” (Irish Examiner, December 9).

This is irresponsible nonsense — you cannot assume that because two statistics show a similar trend, one is the cause of the other. Accident statistics vary wildly and it is impossible to know the reason, but this does not stop the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the National Safety Council (NSC) from taking credit if there is a fall.

It is also nonsense to claim that because 37% of road crash victims have alcohol in their blood, then 37% of crashes are caused by alcohol — you might as well say that if 50% were listening to the radio, then that was the cause of 50% of accidents. Absurdly, this so-called ‘research’ includes ANY amount (more than zero) of blood alcohol.

By restricting the causes of accidents to drink-driving, exceeding the speed limit and seat belts, the RSA is able to ignore the causes of most accidents and avoid tackling the real, more difficult issues which would result in measures unpopular with the road lobby and the more fanatical fraction of motorists.

By making speed traps highly visible on stretches of road where fast driving is least dangerous, the gardaí appear to be doing something, but in reality speeding and drink-driving are like shooting fish in a barrel.

You also quote the AA’s Conor Faughnan.

The AA is a commercial organistaion that represents the road lobby. Although it claims to represent motorists, it does not seek their views and, like the RSA, exaggerates the importance of drink-driving to distract attention from the real causes of accidents.

Michael Job

Rossnagreana

Glengarriff

Co Cork