Michael McAleer answers your questions
From Richard E:
What's the legal situation regarding in-car speed detectors in the Republic? I've been using a device in Britain and I'm not sure if it will work in Ireland, or if it's legal here.
The rules on such detection devices in the Republic are very clear - the Garda will confiscate equipment, and you face possible prosecution.
Since 1991, it has been illegal to use a speed detector and it's also an offence to import, fit or supply them.
In Northern Ireland, the law is slightly different. According to a PSNI spokeswoman interviewed by The Irish Times some time ago, it is not against the law to buy or own speed detection equipment there. However, she added: "Any device that interferes with speed detection equipment is illegal, as it obstructs the police in the due execution of their duties." In other words you can legally buy it and own it but you break the law if you use it in the vicinity of police speed traps.
Such a technicality curries no favour with the Gardai down here. Simply put, you have to leave the device back in Britain.
From D Moriarty, Rathfarnham:
Having just returned to Ireland after five years overseas, what is this national obsession with driving with front foglights (spot lights ) on the whole time? Has the country suddenly moved geographically to a more foggy position in the Atlantic? Or is it our new, confident, self-assured 'get-out-of- my-way' approach to motorists in front? More worrying, however, is the trend by many motorists to drive with only front foglights and sidelights at night.
I've lost count of the amount of these idiots I see on our roads. They might look like super-cool street racers in their own tiny minds but they are a danger to other drivers and pedestrians. In Britain, driving with foglights when conditions don't require them (visibility in excess of 100 metres) earns you a stop by the police and a fine.
I've come across these idiots myself. They are a danger on the roads, just as serious as the fools who drive around with no lights on.
Since reading your e-mail on Sunday I've counted: one driver doing exactly what you refer to while speeding down the M1; five cars with just one working front light on the back roads of north Co Dublin; an SUV that pulled out of a petrol station and continued on a few cars in front of us for several miles with no lights on whatsoever; and the worst of all - a cattle truck that was driving along after 9pm on Sunday night with only hazard lights on.
We all hear the constant statements about how speed contributes to crashes, but such reckless driving at night is just as likely to contribute to the death tolls on our roads.
From Niall O'Brien:
I've read a lot about the new keyless entry systems. Are they any good, and what if I lose the key?
They are, in truth, a bit of a gimmick. The push-button system that features increasingly in some cars requires that you insert a key or at least a fob before the engine starts.
The difference between pushing a button and turning a key seems to be based more on pretending that you're that bit closer to the racing world than you would be if you simply turned the key.
It would seem to be more of a design and marketing feature than anything to do with performance.
They do, however, perform one good function.
When combined with a keyless entry system, they allow you to drive around while your key never has to leave your pocket.
Keyless entry doesn't mean you don't need the key - or some lump of plastic.
They all require you to carry around some small object that identifies you to the car as you walk up.
What keyless entry means is that you don't have to go to the bother of finding the fob and pushing a button on it. (How lazy are we getting?)
The key fobs themselves are still quite large, though Lexus is about to introduce a credit card-sized key that will fit in your wallet and work the same way as the others. Think of it as one less thing to look after.
As to your last query; well if you lose the key/fob/card, you're in exactly the same deep trouble as you would be if you lost your current one.
The only other problem you encounter with these systems is that if you leave the key in the car while you're driving around, then hop out without it - expecting the doors to close - you might find that others may get to appreciate your car's fancy keyless system as well.
Send your queries to:
Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dubin 2 - or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie