President Mary McAleese, in a hard-hitting speech, has called on road users who witness bad behaviour and selfish driving on the roads to report those involved to the gardaí.
At a ceremony for turning on the Christmas tree lights at Áras an Uachtaráin, the President highlighted the issue of motor safety.
She told her audience that almost every road accident happens because someone is selfish or stupid or careless or badly trained.
She described selfish driving as madness which must not be accepted in our society and because of this type of behaviour, drivers, passengers and other road users are being put at massive risk.
The President urged anyone who is aware of this type of activity and knows those involved to report it to the gardai and to refuse to accept this as tolerable behaviour.
She added that if you are driving a car whether old or young, you are entirely responsible for your own behaviour.
