Young driver curfew is a crazy and unfair idea

YET again, the RSA is proposing crazy, impractical, ineffective and unfair ideas to reduce road crashes.

If “younger” motorists are not allowed to drive after 10pm and only with a blood relative, they become virtual prisoners in their own homes, which is the fate of the carless given the lack of public transport and roads that are too dangerous for walkers and cyclists. They have the right to go out, meet friends and enjoy themselves. Boy racers, petrol-heads and other homicidal lunatics are encouraged by TV programmes featuring the hero in a car chase, as well as car advertising and chat shows glorifying cars.

Nor is dangerous driving restricted to youngsters. Ireland must be one of the most backward countries in Europe for public transport.

Road charges should be introduced at, say, 20 cents per tonne-km and the money used to build a civilised public transport infrastructure and safe facilities for walkers and cyclists.

Then impoverished youngsters will not need cars. People can start going to pubs again. They will not be forced to drive if they are tired or ill and the elderly will not have to beg for lifts.

Michael Job

Rossnagrena

Glengarriff

Co Cork