Sir, - There are too many cars on the Irish roads, which means that motoring is a frustrating experience. This is due in part to the fact that the Government listens to pressure groups such as the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) in determining transport policy. Commuters would be better served if the concerns of cyclists were addressed and if public transport were improved.
Now that the car-scrappage scheme is being extended, this will indirectly result in more cars on the road. If someone who proposes to scrap a car and buy a second-hand car is encouraged to buy a new one, this will bring more cars into the system. That is because the cost of second-hand cars is reduced and the cost of motoring becomes cheaper.
This would be great were the roads not already operating over capacity. The scrappage scheme is presented as a green measure. How can the reduction of the lifespan of a car from 12 or 14 years to 10 years be good for the scarce resources of our planet? Safety and environmental issues can be addressed by enforced testing and maintenance. It is not necessary to encourage the importing of new cars. - Yours, etc,
Carysfort Park, Blackrock Co. Dublin.