Madam, - In light of the latest rise in oil prices and the continuing increase in traffic congestion on our streets your report on the rise in sales of SUVs, or 4x4s (August 3rd), is timely.
The reasons quoted for owning these vehicles - such as, "People get out of your way a little bit quicker", and the misguided claim that they are safer - certainly say a lot about the type of people who choose to drive them.
These vehicles are a danger to other road users, especially pedestrians, for several reasons. Their stopping distance is far greater than that of an ordinary saloon car so in the event of an emergency an accident is far more likely. Their vast bulk and the addition of "bull bars" means that when an impact does occur the likelihood of death or serious injury is far greater. Their size obscures the view of the road for other road users and thus prevents them from seeing potential hazards.
In addition they are totally unsuited to Irish urban driving as they are not able to squeeze through small gaps and therefore often cause hold-ups on roads and in car parks. They also cause far more wear and tear on our roads - and even our pavements, since many of their owners believe these to be a legitimate place to drive or park.
For these reasons and the well known environmental impact caused by unnecessary over-engineering and poor fuel economy is it not time for the Minister for the Environment to examine the way car tax is rated. Instead of basing rates entirely on engine capacity, we could have a system based on a vehicle's overall environmental effect. It would not be that difficult to create a scoring system for vehicles based on size, weight, fuel efficiency and safety rating. Such a system need not be used to increase the revenue taken from the motorist but to reward those who choose a less selfish type of vehicle. - Yours, etc.,
DIARMAID MAC AONGHUSA, Shankill, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The increase in the number of 4X4 sports utility vehicles in Dublin is not necessarily related to "status", as your Motoring Editor seems to imply. Most of these vehicles are "soft-roaders" - vehicles designed mainly for on-road use - and are ideally suited for the sort of rough terrain that roads in the city have been allowed to become.
This is due to the incompetence of Dublin City Council in failing to ensure the restoration of road surfaces after the various contractors, who are now allowed to dig trenches into the streets at will, have finished their destructive work.
This, combined with the widespread installation of speed bumps - even on bus routes and ambulance runs near hospitals - means that driving in Dublin streets now requires a rough-terrain vehicle, not the kind of gentle saloon car that would suffice in other European cities. - Yours, etc.,
D.E. O'RIORDAN, Raheny, Dublin 5.