Sir, - I have a problem. As a driver of some long experience, I recognise that when an approaching motorist flashes his lights at me in daylight it is for some friendly reason. This is not so, as I understand it, in some other societies, but here in Ireland it has seldom to do with road rage. There are various reasons for this signal, one of which may be that it is a salute from a friend. It is impolite of me, even an insult, not to reciprocate the greeting, although I seldom succeed in recognising who the flasher is. I have therefore decided that the safe and friendly thing to do is to flash my lights briefly at every approaching motorist, thereby avoiding the embarrassment of being perceived to fail to recognise my good friends.
I understand that sometimes the flasher may be a perfect stranger who has either spotted or had a personal problem with one of our wonderful gardai whose current duty may be to lurk by the roadside and take certain measurements, and the stranger wishes to share this knowledge with me. It is unfortunate that the reason for my polite flashing may be mistaken for this and cause the approaching drivers to be nervous about their speed, but that cannot be helped. It is better that I be sure not to offend my friends. May I recommend this course to others of your readers in the pursuit of road harmony? - Yours, etc., John Godden,
Glendalough, Co Wicklow.