I’m at my wit’s end with my son who has just sat his Leaving Cert and is about to start an apprenticeship in September to become a mechanic.

He’s a good lad who, up until now, hasn’t given me any huge cause for concern. He wasn’t a fan of the books, but he did what he needed to do and seems confident he’s done his best in his exams.

The problem I have is that he recently bought his first car, which he paid for himself with the money he makes working at the weekends in a local car parts shop.

He passed his driving test just after Christmas and I put him on my insurance for a few months until he got his own car. He wasn’t too bad driving my car, but as soon as he got his own, he became a demon behind the wheel. He drives far too fast and refuses to wear a seatbelt.

I’m on the verge of reporting him to the Gardaí as I’m just terrified something is going to happen to him or someone else on the road.

I’ve pleaded with him to take better care when he’s driving and explained that speed limits aren’t there for the fun of it.

He tells me he’s a good driver, but he seems to think he’s invincible. I also know it’s not just him who is at this carry on. Apparently, it’s ‘not cool’ to wear a seatbelt, so my anxiety soars when I hear he’s bringing his friends for a spin.

I’m on the verge of reporting him to the Gardaí as I’m just terrified something is going to happen to him or someone else on the road.

God forbid anything were to happen. I’m not sure any of them would survive a crash if none of them are restrained.

How can I make him see sense and adopt a more responsible approach to driving?

A worried Kerry mother

Dear reader,

Your concern is very real and hugely justified given the horrendous road death statistics in this country.

The fact your son is a newly qualified driver is even more concerning. Presumably he had to wear his seatbelt when he was taking his test and during his driving lessons. And it’s also safe to assume that he drove within the legal speed limits during this phase of his early driving career.

Your letter doesn’t state how old your son is but given he has just completed his Leaving Cert, let’s assume he is a young driver. Saying that, if he’s old enough to hold a full driving licence and own his own car then he’s old enough to know that what he’s doing is both reckless and selfish.

Children rarely listen to their mothers, especially older teenagers and young adults, but if you could arrange a situation where a garda was to have a word in his ear that might be the fright he needs.

You could also give the Gardaí his registration number and if he was caught in the act of not wearing a seat belt, while driving on novice (N) plates as he will be for another 18 months, then the implications of that may force him to see the error of his ways.

Not wearing a seatbelt warrants three penalty points, with speeding also carrying a three-penalty point punishment. Novice drivers can only acquire seven penalty points before they are put off the road so maybe pointing out that fact might force your son to change his behaviour.

Do you have a problem you would like to share? If so, write in confidence to: Dear Miriam, Agony Aunt, Irish Country Living, Irish Farmers Journal, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12, or email miriam@farmersjournal.ie