Sir, – Andrew Abbott (July 14th) presumes we might look forward to the "removal of third, fourth and fifth gears from all Dublin-registered vehicles" as complementary initiatives after lowering speed limits in the city.
Based on the experiences of 160 municipalities in 15 European countries with extensive 30km/h speed limit zones, a far more likely scenario is seeing a significant drop in the number of car crashes and concomitant reductions in children killed and seriously injured in traffic collisions.
It’s time we opened our eyes to road safety and living streets initiatives introduced several decades ago in northern European countries that are making their way over here at the pace of a young glacier.
Let’s embrace this long overdue plan to extend the safer 30km/h speed limit and to make our streets vibrant and child-friendly again. – Yours, etc,
Dr DAMIEN Ó TUAMA,
National Cycling
Coordinator,
Irish Cycling Advocacy
Network,
An Taisce,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – The proposed policy of reducing the speed limit within the capital to 30 km/h is ludicrous.
Can we next expect to return to the pre-1903 practice of having a man with a red flag walk in front of each car? Think of the employment it might generate. – Yours, etc,
DICK BYRNE,
Craughwell,
Co Galway.
Sir, – Ireland has been set a target by the European Union for a reduction in greenhouse has emissions. Enda Kenny has previously stated Ireland’s national long-term intention is to substantially cut CO2 emissions by 2050.
Dublin City Council appears to be unaware of this. Their proposal to introduce a reduction in speed limit in the capital and suburbs will likely lead to motorists driving in a lower gear. Such driving will lead to an increase in fuel consumption and inevitably more CO2 emissions.
While it is important to acknowledge road safety, perhaps the council should also give some thought to the national target on emissions. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN FALLON,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.
A chara, – I wonder if everybody has got the wrong end of the stick regarding the 30km/h speed discussion within the canals? Surely it means that Dublin City Council is guaranteeing that everything will move at 30 km/h?
Now that would be progress. – Is mise,
SEAN O’KIERSEY,
Deansgrange,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.