Sir, - Douglas McCowen's views (August 7th) are commendable. Everyone would agree that even one death on our roads is too many. I fear, however, he misses an important point when he lays a large portion of the blame on inadequate driver training.
The examples of poor driving skills which he points out reflect, in many cases, internalised cultural attitudes and not specific individual failings due to insufficient training. For instance, many Irish drivers fail to use indicators not because they lack training in their use, but because they cannot conceive of their responsibility to signal their intentions to other road users. Irish drivers block footpaths because it suits them. The idea of keeping the footpath clear for pedestrians' use never crosses the average driver's mind. The inability of drivers to accept their own mortality spawns a denial of the consequences when two vehicles meet head-on at a combined speed of over 100 mph.
Sadly, no amount of driver training by itself will result in lowering the number of traffic deaths. Only when quality driver education is combined with a strong police campaign enforcing all traffic laws equally - and a judiciary willing to severely punish offenders regardless of social ranking - will the carnage on Irish roads significantly decline. - Yours, etc.,
Edward D. Rafferty, Grogans Road, Wexford Town.