Driving Standards

Hi There ! Apologies for not being around for a bit, but life has been busy thank God ! I have sat down on numerous occasions to write this blog, but I usually get too annoyed to write sensibly.

I am usually out and about on Irish roads every day of the week, and the examples of driving that I have witnessed (I'm sure you have too) is little short of shocking.

The first thing I'd like to try and do was something that I tried to start on my radio show some years ago, but I don't think it worked too well - the basic premise is to have a little more consideration for EVERYONE else on the road. We all know what its like to be stuck at a T junction and not being able to get out onto the main road - so here's a novel idea - why doesn't EVERY driver, let ONE car out. We've all been there ! Isn't it nice to let someone out from a side road (or another lane) ? Just as long as you are thanked for it. There is little in my world that annoys me more than when you are considerate and let someone in front of you, or out from a side road etc etc and you are NOT thanked for it. This is the height of bloody ignorance and bad manners.

I tow a lot of horses around the country in a trailer. If the hard shoulder is clear and, more importantly, in good condition, I will generally pull in to let people pass, cos I'll be holding them up, cos I'll be going slow ! It used be that almost all drivers would thank you in the form of a wave, a beep of the horn or more commonly a flash of the hazard lights, but now the amount of drivers who just think that it is your DUTY to pull onto the hard shoulder to let them pass, is incredible and becoming more and more common.

Here is the plain and simple rule - if another driver executes a move that makes your day easier and your journey quicker, then give em a wave, a flash of the hazard lights or a beep (or all three !!!) to say THANK YOU for making it a bit easier for me. Now there are those drivers that will say, "I'm not gonna thank someone for doing what they are supposed to do" - I ask why not ? How bad is it to raise a hand or flash the headlights. Here's an example.

I live on a narrow residential road where there is parking on the east side, but not on the west. If the traffic is parked on the side where I'm driving, I must stop and let the oncoming traffic pass and the road is clear before I can progress (you would not believe the drivers who appear to have no idea of this rule, and think that it is down to the person who is there first and that they enjoy the right of way - WRONG !) - however, what I'm trying to get across is even if it is your right of way, but especially if it is not, give a wave to the driver who stops so as you can proceed - you will actually feel the better of it !

I could go on and on and on about drivers in this country, but I'm boring myself, so by now you are happily snoring away at your keyboard !

Lets start here and now - let someone out and make their day (and in the process put a smile on your own face too)

Here endeth the lesson !