One: Overtaking on two-lane, two-way traffic streets anywhere in Spain. Also making a left turn across oncoming traffic.
Two: Speeding, i.e. exceeding the speed limit, or using excessive speed for road conditions at the time.
Three: Exhaustion. i.e. Driver Fatigue
Four: Driving while impaired by drink or drugs.
Five: Dangerous and reckless driving without regard for others.
Six: Tailgating and inattention.
Seven: Driving on the wrong side of the road and clockwise around a roundabout.
(FIVE & SIX): DANGEROUS DRIVING, TAILGATING AND INATTENTION
I’m certain that I’m not crazy! I don’t go round taking note of everybody’s driving mistakes, or commenting to myself every time someone does something strange or stupid. What’s more, all my fellow road users are ladies and gentlemen, not crazy so-and so’s. These things I do, or more to the point, don’t do for my own sanity. I am constantly refining my own driving so as not to be the source of annoyance to other road users. There is, however, a breed of motorist for whom we cannot do anything right other than get off the road so that they can have it all to themselves and they are the Tailgaters. Like alligators, there they are, snapping at our heels, driving us to distraction.
I try to see inside the heads of people whose behaviour is so wantonly bad on the road, and perhaps not surprisingly I come up with a blank. There’s no point in asking what are they thinking because they are not thinking anything. So, if not thought, instinct then? That doesn’t seem to be right either. Even an army of ants appear to have better manners and more method. Perhaps they are show-offs, people who must draw attention to themselves. If this is the case the attention they draw is not complimentary. Stupidity and ignorance are never complimentary. Men, who behave so very badly, are seen as little obnoxious boys who never grew up. The women they seek to impress are usually turned stone cold against them.
Driving is a necessary privilege in every country in the world. It is not a guaranteed right, which is why we have to have a driving permit. That is something that can be withdrawn if we choose to blatantly flout the rules. That’s fair enough. Give us reasonable driving exams; do nothing to complicate the process by which we get our permit, and then, should we choose to turn out like the ill-mannered and ignorant guest at the ball, we get exorcised and sent for re-education.
The points system aims to do just that. It will seek out those who can only be dealt with by monetary fine and re-education as to what makes a good motorist. I wish those people who needed this information the most would read the below-noted, but I doubt if that will happen. (The use of “he” actually means he or she).
- A good motorist is first and foremost considerate of other road users. He is not threatening to pedestrians or cyclists, and he keeps his distance from animals.
- He practises courtesy by allowing others to complete their manoeuvres by extending to them a little patience.
- He refrains from the needless use of the horn to sound his impatience. He leaves enough time to get to where he needs to go without having to climb over others to get there.
- He definitely does not engage in behaviour that runs other vehicles off the road.
- He is not a show-off. He really impresses by his safe and defensive driving abilities.
- He obeys the rules of the road. Most are there for the safe conduct of all users. “Stop”, to him means Stop!
- He realizes that most speed limiting signs should be obeyed, especially those that reduce speed through built-up areas. He doesn’t have to like to slow down, but he does so anyway for safety’s sake.
- Should he have to drive anywhere throughout the day or night he avoids anything that may impair his judgement, especially alcohol.
- A good motorist makes his passenger(s) feel safe and comfortable. He does not throw them around in the car through sharp and jerky car handling. He gets them to their destination safely.
- He is always attentive, as he knows that with congested roads it only needs the inattention of a split second to come to grief.
- It is the intention of a good motorist never to be the source of someone else’s grief. His reward will be 50 years plus of trouble-free motoring.
In summary, there’s a whole lot that can be learned from the good motorist. Given the high stakes involved, sometimes it’s the difference between living or dying. Some people are simply dying to show how bad they can be.
Death on the Roads? It doesn’t have to end that way!
Copyright © 2008 Eugene Carmichael
Don’t overtake on two-way road systems. Save your life for those who love you!
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