Checkpoint brought bank holiday to a halt

WE Cork motorists, fleeing west from the hassles of city life at 5.30pm last bank holiday Friday, were stuck in a mile-and-a-half tailback in the Ovens area.

Thinking that the roadworks at the Ovens bridge were responsible, we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a garda checkpoint comprising two squad cars and two motorcycle officers.

This appears to be a new approach in reducing road traffic accidents - if you stop the traffic altogether then accidents simply cannot occur.