Sir, - There has been a great deal of publicity recently about the possible or potential dangers caused by mobile phones.
For me, however, the real danger is caused, not by the phone, but by the mobile phone user - specifically those idiots who insist on carrying on conversations on their mobile phones while driving. I have lost count of the number of times I have had to take evasive action to avoid being struck by a car, van or truck driven by one of these people, for whom other people's lives take second place to their own self-importance. I can list a few examples of incidents I have witnessed:
1. A 40-foot container truck driving straight through a red light at the Red Cow Roundabout.
2. A car being driven "onehanded" around a roundabout veering out of lane.
3. A car being driven through a pedestrian crossing nearly striking two women who were on the crossing.
I could go on. All of the above incidents were caused by drivers who were talking on their mobiles. These people are a danger to other road users and the practice should be made illegal. It's about time for the Minister for Justice to put through the necessary legislation and so eliminate this menace from our roads. - Yours, etc.,
Brendan O'Reilly, Grace Park Hall, Grace Park Road, Dublin 9.