Greetings !
I am somewhat embarrassed to note that is 7 years since I was last writing on this platform - for that I can only apologise
Here in Dublin there has been much focus on the amount of people who are dying on our roads this year. We had been doing better in the past few years, but this year the figure, with one and a half months to go, is very poor indeed with 166 people not about this year who were here last year
It is not for me to say why, other than my own experiences, but suffice to say that people are simply not best equipped to drive on our roads. From the outset, the driving test is wholly and completely inadequate. People (mostly teenagers and young people) are not tested at night, not tested (or indeed taught) on motorways and, perhaps as important, not taught about the etiquette on the road. The ability to make a car go forwards, or backwards, or around a corner, does not demonstrate an ability to drive.
When I was 17 I passed my test the first time, most probably with a bit of luck. My brother, in his test, broke and amber traffic light and on another occasion, stalled the car - he passed too !!! Like all 17 yr olds I thought I was invincible and drove at high speeds all over the place. However, there was no real drug culture - there sure was, and still is, a big problem with drink - and I drove a diesel VW Golf, so I wasn't able to go THAT fast
I am not in my 50's (my missus describes me as some sort of grumpy old something or other) but what I witness out on the roads these days is simply carnage. Both males and females unable to know the capabilities of their cars (in fact some of them are challenged to see over the dashboard !!!), drive at breakneck speeds, on roads that are simply not up to it. They, like me at that age, think that they were simply indestructable - they are not !
We have a thing in Ireland, called TY - Transition Year - where, apart from an academic year of lessons and homework, kids are given a little more freedom to learn other things about life. In my grumpy opinion, it is, in essence, a year off !!!
One thing that could be done in TY (usually ages 15-16) would be perhaps to teach kids how to drive - and how to drive properly. Teach them how to behave in their cars, including letting others out from side roads, thanking others for letting them out, doing the same, even though it is your right of way etc etc
Another important lesson is how to behave on the Motoroways. I am amazed that in 2023, people are not taught how to drive on motorways - they are actually forbidden to drive on motorways !! How on earth are they supposed to drive thereon, when they have passed their test and are legally allowed to do so. Fairs fair - you can't be expected know how to drive on the fastest roads we have, if you have never been taught !! I have witnessed a person driving on to the M50 (Dublin's orbital motorway) and actually STOPPING at the end of the on ramp, where it joins the motorway - they did that because they DID NOT KNOW what to do !!! You can just imagine the amount of drivers venting their fury !!!
Also, whilst I'm banging on about motorways, the outside lane is often referred to as the 'fast lane' This is incorrect. It is the 'overtaking lane' and you should not be in it, unless you are overtaking - and, for what its worth, you are NOT the police. If you are driving in the overtaking lane, which I have already pointed out that you should not be, unless you are passing someone out, and are driving at the speed limit, it is not for you to stay belligerently out there to keep all and sundry from breaking the speed limit. You do not know who is behind you, or why they want to drive faster than you - they may well be road hogs, but it is not your responsibility to keep them back - they may be in a hurry to catch a plane/train, or to see an elderly relative that has fallen down the stairs and is being rushed to hospital. It is very dangerous behaviour that may well result in a bad accident, which whilst not caused by you directly, you had a part to play in.
In my humble opinion, the roads are tough enough to navigate without having to put up with d*ckheads. So, why don't we ALL try something new - let every driver (yes, that includes you) let one car out in front of them, whether it is a side road, a car park or something different - and if someone lets you out, make sure you let them know you appreciate their doing so - be it a beep of the horn, a wave or a flash of your hazard lights - isn't it nice to say 'thank you' and to be 'thanked'
If someone pulls over on a major road, to let you pass by, then flash your hazard lights to them when you are passed. It just makes the effort worthwhile.
One thing that makes my blood boil is that when you do something like the above for someone and they do not acknowledge you. Taxi drivers and Bus drivers, you know who I am talking about - not every taxi driver or bus driver is ignorant, but a large percentage of them are
Finally, we all should try and be a little more accommodating on the roads - this also means using your rear view mirror. If you can pull up closer to the car in front of you in traffic, in order to accommodatre another driver, then please do so
The way to judge ANY of these situations is to put yourself in the place of some looking for a favour
Happy and Safe Driving
DC
ps - please turn off your rear fog lights - that is if you know where the button is, and if you are aware that they are on in the first place - yes, that is what that funny light on the dashboard means !!!!