They're driving me to despair

Feb 14 2008

I have written previously to the Advertiser about the poor standard of driving. I also have other concerns.

I watch school kids and pedestrians dodge in and out of the traffic rather than wait for the Green Man. Most cyclists nowadays use the pavement and learner schools are churning out drivers who are not fit for purpose. I see drivers park on the pavement, on double yellow lines with their hazard lights on.

Daily I watch drivers going the wrong way down a one-way street. They haven’t a clue how to use their indicators or lights.

I see all the lane-jumpers, with no seatbelts, still on their mobile phones. There should be a year’s ban for the use of mobiles while driving.

The main reason I’m writing this letter is that it now seems acceptable to go through traffic lights when they are at red. I’m of the old school, who was taught that when the lights were at amber we had to slow down and stop; now it’s a case of speed up and go through. Two, three and even four cars sometimes go through while lights are at red.

Of course these things happen nowadays because there is no pride, respect or discipline in our society. It’s also because there is no police presence so people are pretty sure they won’t be caught.

If someone can confirm to me that the Highway Code has been done away with, then I will join everyone else, get in my dodgem car and do whatever I want on the road. And damn everyone else!

Alan Stewart, Hamilton.