Sir, - The answers to Paul Buckley's query in his letter of September 16th are simple. Firstly, the motorists driving at 50 mph are doing so on a road where the official speed limit is 30 mph, and they are therefore convinced that they are under a moral duty to prevent the nine other motorists, who wish to drive at 65 mph, from overtaking them. It is this fine sense of civic duty which makes driving in Ireland such fun!
Secondly, since all drivers in this scenario are Irish, each has his car one foot behind the car in front, ensuring that each car in the line is progressively more unable to overtake - thus reinforcing the first principle.
As a further cultural imperative, when the multiple crash comes, a maximum of whiplash injuries will be caused, with ensuing claims. - Yours, etc
Newcastle House, Newcastle,
Co Wicklow.