Sir, – Regarding smart speed-limit management in Austria and Germany using gantry displays, Jim Callan (Letters, February 19th) needn’t lose any sleep about the National Roads Authority looking for an Irish solution, at least not for years to come.
Some of the many reasons include: 1. The “lack of continental levels of traffic congestion” excuse; 2. The “insufficient number of gantries nationwide to warrant such an investment” excuse; 3. The “let’s wait and see if something better comes along” excuse; 4. The “early technology bugs will occur so let’s wait and see” excuse; 5. The “our winters are milder” excuse; 6. The “we habitually copy our next-door neighbours” excuse, and last but not least, 7. The old familiar “Ah sure things are grand” excuse.
All such excuses will keep the pro-active and preventive road-safety lobby at bay until a string of major motorway incidents force a reactive and reactionary capitulation. – Yours, etc, NIALL O’DONOGHUE Pirkanmaa, Finland.