Drivers are at fault, not pedestrians

YOU report (August 29) on the huge numbers of prosecutions for driving offences, drivers who cheat prosecution and a website that details the lunatic behaviour of motorists.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) claims “motorists know that if they choose to break the law and engage in killer behaviour, they will be caught”. This is nonsense. Everyone knows the chance of being caught is minute; less than one in 1,000.

The RSA blames children for getting killed and injured on the roads and is launching a campaign to ‘educate’ them, thus exonerating motorists who are not, it seems, in need of education.

There is nothing difficult about crossing or walking along the road; it is simply a matter of taking care. Driving safely requires considerable skill. Drivers know they are unlikely to be injured if they hit a pedestrian; the RSA’s campaign implies that it is always the pedestrian or cyclist who is at fault; this can only encourage reckless driving.

According to the RSA, as long as the driver is wearing his seatbelt, is not drunk and is not exceeding the speed limit, his driving is impeccable. The RSA ignores dangerous habits such as tailgating, driving blind, not slowing for hazards, or driving when tired, ill or under medication.

Michael Job

Rossnagreana

Glengarriff

Co Cork