Sir, – Paul Connolly (April 28th) laments the proliferation of high-visibility clothing amongst the cyclists, runners and walkers of Ireland. I suspect that the motivation behind this development is a desperate attempt to divert the attentions of the drivers of Ireland away from their smartphones. Increasingly, one observes drivers glancing furtively down to their laps. Initially this occurred in stationary vehicles at traffic lights, (note how often one has to beep the horn to alert an oblivious driver to a recently changed green light) but now it is not uncommon to see this phenomenon while cars are in motion. I trust it will comfort the cyclists, runners and walkers of our nation that their lives and limbs were endangered so that drivers could keep up to date with the latest email, tweet or hilarious sneezing panda YouTube video. – Yours, etc,
R McDERMOTT,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Paul Connolly makes a good point regarding the ubiquity of the fluorescent top. From my own experience as a pedestrian in Dublin, I find these garments very useful. They help me spot cyclists pelting through junctions on green pedestrian lights. They may also say something about us a nation. We like to “be seen” but whether we like “to see” is another matter. – Yours, etc,
DECLAN LEYDON,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Paul Connolly worries that an overabundance of walkers wearing yellow fluorescent tops makes us look like “a nation of bollards”. Time to lighten up? – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN McDERMOTT,
Dublin 9.