Fail-safe solution

Your editorial on the Easter road toll was thoughtful and measured (although I wonder whether the writer appreciates the irony that traffic congestion lowers driver speed). But what this litany of causes, excuses and measures lacked was one simple and obvious suggestion: Give up your car.

When my father died in a road accident two years ago, our family swore off motor vehicles for good. OK, so this decision did take some getting used to. But it was well worth it. Now we can’t imagine living any other way, and we save a good deal of money on repairs, registration, insurance and petrol. We like to think we are contributing to a cleaner, quieter environment and are healthier now, too.

It is looking as if the road toll for 2018 might even surpass last year’s. Do we really want this? Of course we don’t. The decision is in our hands. Consider the alternatives, and be prepared to make real sacrifices.

Jo Barrett

Papanui