Three "Why is it?'' questions for your readers.

The topic this week: Traffic congestion 1. Why is it that on weekday mornings when the private schools are on holiday, the traffic is 15 minutes lighter? 2. Why is it that the Government wants to increase car sizes when: a) There is no lack of choice of models currently available (designed with all the safety features) within the present restrictions.

b) There seems to be an increase in roomy, small cars available to purchase.

c) Changing the law would primarily benefit the style conscious consumer, who probably already has a large car, and who might sell his car to get a new, larger one and thus add to the current congestion.

3. Why is it that we keep hearing that there are 50,000 cars on the roads when the report said there were a total of 50,000 vehicles registered (meaning motorcycles, buses, horse & carriage, rental bikes, etc included? Cars alone would be about 23,000.

This week's suggestions: 1. Look at the possibility of Private schools commencing at 10 a.m.

2. Encourage the trend to smaller cars e.g. Class A-C get three years exemption from examination at TCD and/or reduced import duty (on size -- smaller is not necessarily cheaper).

3. Let Sir John Swan and others build their apartment buildings in the city, but apply some restrictions to licensing a car to the assessment numbers therein.

4. Give registered car owners the option to purchase a bus/ferry pass at a reduced rate (make it worth the hassle!) to encourage use of public transportation.

With the recent hikes in gas prices, a lot of drivers would consider a bus ride at say, half price.

Remember friends: cars are selling faster, traffic is moving slower, but 9.00 is still 9.00! Let's make getting there on time easier.

TEETH-GRITTING DRIVER Warwick Shorter lines: Opening schools later and city living are two suggestions for cutting congestion.