Sir, - Kevin Myers does a fine job in identifying roundabouts and signage deficiencies as serious obstacles facing the motorists of Ireland. As a recent visitor to your country, may I add a few additional observations? Many national roads are still little more than paved cow-paths of a much earlier era. Such highways are narrow and without shoulders. Indeed, stone walls that are heavily clad in vegetative growth line the routes and reduce one's ability to see any lateral distance or into oncoming curves. In short, these roads are quaint but dangerous.
Moreover, upgraded dual-carriageways are not afforded the protection demanded by such roads. That is to say, these highways must be constructed with fully controlled access. Thus, crossroads, settlements and turns must be eliminated - and all access and egress accomplished at properly engineered inter changes. To do less is to invite catastrophe and carnage.
In addition, many improvements to lesser roads are only fragmentary. Road-widening and straightening that increases vehicular flow is usually nullified when a section of the old road remains in use, as through the heart of a town or in an area of challenging and costly construction.
A safe, efficient and modern road network is still in the distant future for the Emerald Isle. For visitors and local citizens, improved signage is the least costly improvement for now. - Yours, etc.,
Barry McDermott, Heather Road, Toronto, Canada.