Carnage on the roads - Speed kills, so slow down

THESE past few days have been especially tragic because of the number — at least nine — of people who have died on our roads.

This week nine families will be at funerals they never conceived of as being even vaguely imminent.

The last while has seen a profound shift in our attitude towards drink and driving but, as yet, we have been unable to convince some drivers, especially young men, to slow down. Every road user can tell of some instance of speeding with the potential for fatal accidents. The carrot has been used extensively, so maybe it’s time to apply the other half of that equation.

Imagine how effective it would be if a garda on traffic duty had the power to immediately impound a car for serious breaches of speed limits? Just take the keys off the offender and let them get a bus home.

If a person can’t be a responsible road user why should they be allowed to be a threat to the rest of us?