Sir, – Every road death is a tragedy, and there can be no doubt that alcohol plays a significant part in many of these fatalities. Nevertheless your news report (October 1st) of the Road Safety Authority analysis showing that half of pedestrians killed had consumed alcohol tends towards blaming the victim. Most of these unfortunates would have made it home safely had they not been hit by a car on unlit roads, but there is no mention of other contributory factors, such as driving at speeds where it is impossible to avoid collisions in the event of an unanticipated occurrence, poor and non-existent infrastructure for road users other than cars, and the lack of alternative modes of transport in many areas. Puritan exhortations to drink less and wear a hi-vis vest will have only a limited effect. – Yours, etc,
SEÁN BOYLE,
London.