By Natalie Shobana Ambrose
theSun, Malaysia (page 13)
March 24th, 2011
theSun, Malaysia (page 13)
March 24th, 2011
Use the indicator when turning. Queue up for your turn. Always give way to those on your right. Stopping at a stop sign is not a sign of defeat. Traffic lights are not suggestions. The amber light really means slow down.
Giving way allows for traffic to flow. Do not cut in, no buts or ifs, it’s just not polite. Speeding upon seeing a car turning up ahead doesn’t get you far. Tailgating might be fun for you but not the car in front. High beam headlights are for desert roads and jungle driving not for lighted highways. Yes, it is blinding, get new prescriptions for your glasses if you can’t see.
If you think your car is too expensive to get hit, or too shiny to give way and wait in the jam with other not so nice looking cars, think again. So you’re one of those monster-looking cars that drinks diesel, you don’t have a licence to annihilate everyone in your way. Boy racers, modified cars and motorbikes that need their exhaust checked, please get attention from somewhere else, we really don’t need the extra noise pollution. You talking on the phone while driving, you’re either going too slow, swerving, stuck in the middle of two lanes or just being a hazard to everyone else. Yes, texting and driving has caused many deaths – there’s a movie about it, and even Oprah has a petition against it.
Give way to ambulances, fire engines and those with a siren – something more important than you is happening. Honking in a traffic jam is only allowed for rude drivers who cut in. Don’t hold up traffic; get your tyres, engine, carburettor checked regularly instead of stalling traffic at rush hour.
Pedestrian crossings are not another word for accelerate; stop, let people cross the road without feeling like you’re going to knock them down. Believe it or not, the seatbelt is actually there because you’re not made of steel – it does save lives. Cheating the breathalyser doesn’t mean you’re clear-headed. If you have a death wish, do it on your own time and don’t involve other drivers.
Is it possible for motorcyclists to not swerve in and out of traffic? When it rains, be considerate and try to not splash puddles onto other people’s windscreens and those on foot or bike. Yes, traffic is slow and you’re not the only one who dislikes traffic jams – the person next to you is equally unimpressed.
If you don’t have the right disability, stupidity is not an excuse to park in space reserved for the handicapped. Neither is standing on a vacant parking lot in a bid to book it for a friend.
Cutting in front of me at the traffic light and speeding off before it turns red is not cool. Someone else will only do it to you when you least need it. Try and park within the drawn lines, and don’t fling the car door open hitting the car next to you. "Oops" does not erase that dent or pay for it to be fixed. Sliding in a car park and sticking out on the road only gives women a bad name, even if you’re a man. So don’t do it.
Sunday morning drivers should only take to the roads on Sundays outside the city and not in front of me. And no, I don’t want to see your collection of soft toys and interior decorating skills, I’d much rather you have a clear view of the road in front of you and the big vehicle tail-gating you. Neither do I want to see you picking your nose or putting on mascara; the windows are lightly tinted not blackened – yes people can see you.
Buses that overtake cars have an earth moving effect which is very frightening, so stick to your speed limit. It is wrong for lorries to spill sand and stones on the road, cement mixers to over take and diggers to be on the middle lane holding up traffic. Tankers carrying highly flammable content should have their speedometer limit at 40km. No one wants to deal with that much flammable content.
Finally, roundabouts are not traffic islands – remember always give way to those on your right and not everyone go at once and see who makes it out first or ever.
Natalie is not a fan of bad drivers but concedes that sometimes you have to be one to get to your destination in one piece.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
