Does pub location determine driving law?

THE Road Safety Authority’s Gay Byrne’s recent comments on radio in relation to the impending demise of rural pubs beggar belief.

To quote Mr Byrne, he “understands the plight of the new driving laws and the effect on rural pubs, but reports that random breath testing making these businesses extinct is exaggerated and totally out of proportion”.

To further compound his comments, he said that “the more rural and remote pub premises are, the less chance of garda checkpoints”, as if to say that the new drink-driving legislation is open to interpretation according to geographical location.

This is another glaring example of the non-consensus and lack of communication between the different bodies and the Department of Transport, in tackling our road safety issues. Now, we have the Government making pre-election noises of concern for rural pubs, which will probably kick off yet another litany of empty promises between now and summer.

There is little doubt that Mr Byrne’s intentions and motives with regard to road safety are honourable, but the bottom line is that the Road Safety Authority possesses the interest but not the power while the Department of Transport has the authority but minimal interest.

Kevin Jordan

Village View

Clashmore

Co Waterford.