Testing times if your car is 10 years or older

I AM aware that this is not earth shattering news, but it does seem to have slipped in under the radar, i.e. that all cars more than 10 years old have to be tested every 12 months as from June 1.

Another stealth tax. Who does it hit the hardest? Yes, the poorest of the population. I am sure if figures were looked at, older cars don’t cause the most accidents.

How much lobbying was done by vested interests to get this through? I don’t think any TD would be too affected by this, only the poor old age pensioners and the unemployed. I am aware the road safety body will scream, all in the interests of road safety.

The trouble is most accidents are caused by the nut on the wheel changing their CD, or having a chat on the mobile phone.

I have yet to see a car have an accident all on its own, but I am sure cars will pass their NCT first time for a change after being tested so often.

I also bet it will be a lot cheaper, lots of extra work for the profit-making NCT monopoly.

I wonder how they are getting on with the compulsory brake fluid testing rule? That should be a good money maker.

I am afraid all this is more to do with vested interests and money making for the rich than the general public interests.

Why 10 years? Why not 5 years or 2 years?

We really should level the playing field.

People are not shown how to drive anymore: they have to digest a large amount of paper instructions and try and remember thousands of stupid road signs as if they have no brain of their own.

Malcolm Taylor

Midleton

Co Cork