Madam, - The findings of TCD's recently published report on the SUV versus the pedestrian are no real surprise. What doesn't seem to have been mentioned is that bad as it is to be hit by a standard SUV, one fitted with a bull-bar is far more lethal, usually resulting in decapitation.
Several years ago, the Department of Environment wisely decreed that front numberplates be removed from motorbikes to reduce the possibility of serious wounds being caused to a pedestrian unfortunate enough to be hit by a bike. That this logic be applied to removal of bull-bars from SUVs is long overdue.
As regards the wider issue of SUVs being a menace to other motorists and pedestrians, an effective solution could be literally to tax them off the roads and back to the rough country that they were originally intended for - in farm work, forestry, construction, etc. In recent years they have become a fashion accessory, particularly in the greater Dublin area.
A two-tier motor tax rate should be implemented similar to that already employed by local authorities for commercial vehicles. If your SUV is for regular off-road use, that's OK; but if you feel you need more than your fair share of space while cruising the streets, then pay up.
Micheál Martin took a brave step against smoking, got a lot of flak for his perseverance, but is now regarded as a champion of the common good. Time for a brave step to make the roads safer for one and all? - Yours, etc,
DAVID REDDY, Durham Road, Dublin 4.