Madam, - Both the chief executive of the Road Safety Authority and the Minister for Transport made the usual ritual plea for motorists not to drive while fatigued over the bank holiday and to take regular breaks, preferably accompanied by a cup of coffee. Others, including An Taoiseach, have made similar pleas in the past. These requests prompt the question: "Where?"
It was official policy not to construct service areas on motorways and national routes on the grounds that these would provide opportunities for "anti-social behaviour" (are we to take it that fatigued driving is "social behaviour"?). Many village shops adjacent to the new national routes do offer coffee, but their opening hours and toilet facilities tend to be limited. Mother nature offers a large number of excellent hedgerows but these are not suitable for families with young children. It was possible until recently to drive from Belfast Airport to Dublin without being able to obtain refreshment north of Fairview Strand.
Should not the authorities lead by constructive action and example rather than by constant cajoling?
- Yours, etc,
Dr A.J. ROUS, Shanganagh Road, Killiney, Co Dublin.