Banning Boy Racer videos
Friday November 24 2006
The Road Safety Authority say they are going to ask the internet site YouTube to remove 'Boy Racer' videos. If I were to be cynical, I could point to the disgraceful 'Happy slapping' video which was rightly removed from that site. Obviously this is where the RSA got the idea. I note that the RSA went on television to talk about complaining to YouTube, rather than simply complaining to YouTube.
Young people will forever want fast cars. Sensible older people should cast their minds back to James Dean and what he stood for, V8 power, sex, and antisocial behaviour. I am sure that in the time of the Romans, someone had a "go faster" stripe on a chariot.
Why don't the Government, RSA and the National Safety Council build a specific place for those who want to let rip?
Ask Martin Birrane of Mondello Park if something could be worked out? Perhaps some guest appearances by experts in car control to do workshops.
We have world class rally driver, Rosemary Smith, to name but one. Of course I am dreaming here, because this is a constructive idea which makes sense.
The suggestion about YouTube is laughable, not least because it is so naive. We should ban these videos? The RSA would also need to ban 50pc of DVDs, and advertisements for cars (now there is a good, ignored, idea ).
It is better to work at dealing with the problem, rather than doing the Irish thing and suppressing the symptom. ANTHONY HALPIN, HERBERT ROAD, BRAY, CO WICKLOW
