The Character of the road you drive on.

What lies ahead?

We generally think of a roadway as being something inanimate, without a soul or heart or character. However, that could hardly be farther from the truth. If we fail to recognize what the road has waiting for us up ahead, we could easily come unstuck.

It stands to reason that roadways are built to fit into the land that is available to the roads management group, which may mean that the road contains dangerous twists and turns that ideally should have not been in-built, but could not be avoided. As the driver we have to be on our guard at all times to adjust our speed and to heighten our caution.

A common mistake we make is that we assume that roads management always know what they are doing. Wrong! One classic clue is given when we are leaving a towm and the speed limit goes from 50 to 70, but then, a mere ten metres farther it is reduced back to 50. Why bother with the 70 sign? Is that really intelligent? Many a driver has said, "what the fuck!"

Roads management have done certain things in their design, presumably inadvertant, that give bad mis-direction, such as painting the road to encourage the driver to turn his car to the left at a stop sign, thereby cutting off his line of sight to be able to see oncoming traffic. You will most likely follow this signage at least once, but once could be all that it takes.

Then there is the matter of roundabouts. Here in Spain they have only recently found wide acceptance, but most drivers really are not comfortable using them. For entertainment purposes, find a bar with a terrace that overlooks a roundabout, especially one with several lanes. Good fun, that!

I could go on and on about the fact that roads are living things, but as drivers we only need to be aware that roads can be deadly or kind, to remember to pay strict attention at all times.

Wait until you are back at home to relax with a single malt whisky or a fine brandy. One more day as a survivor of the roads is worth celebrating.

Copyright (c) 2014   Eugene Carmichael