Sir, - Despite all the publicity about speed being a major factor in road accidents, a recent experience suggests to me that many motorists have not got the message.
During a round trip to Cork I deliberately drove at, or just within, the relevant speed limits. To say that I was regarded as something of an oddity would be an understatement. Where it was not feasible to pass out, a queue of impatient motorists gathered behind me. As soon as it was possible to do so, they passed me with incredulous looks in my direction and disappeared at high speed. On the open road cars flashed by as if there was no such thing as a speed limit.
Whatever about keeping within the designated limits in towns and villages, the general speed limit of 60 mph seems to be largely ignored. I got the distinct impression that the white disc with a black stripe is regarded by many motorists as an indication that they are free to drive at whatever speed they fancy. Would it help if, at least on busy trunk roads, these signs were replaced by 60 mph signs with reminders at intervals thereafter?
Another factor impinging on road safety struck me forcibly during my journey. That was the almost complete absence of properly sign-posted and properly designated lay-bys. Looking for one is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Over my entire journey of close on 400 miles (I returned to Dublin via Limerick) I saw no more than three or four. Surely the provision of proper lay-bys at reasonably frequent intervals would encourage fatigued motorists to rest and thereby contribute to road safety. The powers that be on our neighbouring island certainly seem to think so. - Yours, etc., M. D. Kennedy,
Silchester Park, Glenageary, Co. Dublin.