L-drivers show how smokers lost their way

WEREN’T smokers right idiots to heed the smoking ban legislation.

Had they come together and continued their unhealthy habit in public premises, they would have been safe from prosecution— just like the 90,000 L-drivers on second provisional licences who drive unaccompanied by the holder of a full licence.

Well that’s how it seems now following a garda spokesman’s admission on radio that they will not be cracking down on unaccompanied L-drivers as the courts could not cope with the numbers. Strange comment. I would have thought it was not the responsibility of the gardaí to worry about the ability of the courts to conduct their business.

Then of course one remembers high-ranking garda positions are in the gift of the politicians who are in danger of a backlash from voters in next year’s local elections and the almost certain early general election this Government will face.

What price road safety in the light of a reaction from an electorate left high and dry without the means of getting to work or dropping off and picking up schoolchildren in a State where uncontrolled development of rural housing has gone hand-in-hand with the lack of a dependable alternative to the car?

The moral of the story would seem to be if you break the law it will be OK provided you can encourage enough fellow citizens to do likewise. Smokers, drink drivers, substance abusers take note, there’s safety in numbers.

Michael Roche

11 The Downs

Douglas

Cork