Sir, - Patsy McGarry's article of December 2nd described the measures being taken to ease traffic congestion in Dublin over the Christmas period. We are told that parking regulations will be "rigidly enforced" outside Frawleys on Thomas Street, and single and double yellow line regulations, as well as clearways, will be enforced during "Operation Freeflow".
In addition, cars parked in breach of regulations will be towed away and a fine must be paid before the vehicle can be recovered from the pound. Drivers who get trapped in a yellow box junction will be subject to a £50 fine, by summons.
While I welcome all these measures, I find it a little disconcerting that like the drink driving laws, it is only at Christmas that these regulations appear to be enforced to a high degree. As somebody unfortunate enough to have to face the rigours of driving from one side of the city to the next on a daily basis, it would please me greatly to know that everything possible is being done to keep our public highways clear from illegally parked cars and the like 365 days a year. Surely it is an offence to park on a double yellow line or in a clearway at any time of year not just the month of December!
In the last year Dublin's traffic has ground to a halt, and the situation looks set to worsen. Luas has been offered as the answer to our prayers and will doubtless cost many millions to complete. Perhaps we would be better investing the money for this in establishing an independent traffic police service, instead of "drawing extra Gardai from outlying areas of the city and county to ensure enforcement of traffic regulations". God knows our city has enough problems with crime, without putting an extra drain on Garda resources to enforce laws which, after all is said and done, are merely common sense. - Yours, etc,
Raheen Crescent, Dublin 24.