Oi, Britain!!!


Honestly.

Iโ€™m in the middle of a blogging break while I recover from one condition, and now find myself compelled to write a blog post about another situation. Thankfully, as Iโ€™m writing the post the situation isnโ€™t as bad as it could have been, but a second earlier or later and there could have been no blog post.

Iโ€™m addressing this post to the drivers of the UK, but in effect it could apply to drivers anywhere, especially if said drivers lose control of all common sense when they get behind the wheel of their vehicle.

Iโ€™m sorry to say, drivers of Britain, but you are the worst. You bring down the concept of being human. You lose the ability of logical mind, and allow stupidity to control both yourself and the vehicle you are meant to be driving.

Tonight I was hit by a vehicle as I crossed a road. Luckily for me, it was only a bump with a very loud thud, although I doubt that the โ€˜humanโ€™ behind the wheel heard it over their ridiculously loud thumping music they were playing.

As I crossed the road, I noticed the black 4X4 turn into the road I was three-quarters of the way across. I thought to myself โ€˜thatโ€™s a bit closeโ€™, as I noticed it turning into the wrong side of the road (the correct side of the road was now behind me and I was way passed thisโ€ฆ oh, and before you ask, the vehicle wasnโ€™t there when I started to cross), and then the vehicle hit me. I stepped back into the road to see if the โ€˜driverโ€™ had realised they had actually hit another human being, once I regained control of my senses after saying to myself โ€œDid that actually just happen?โ€, and I think they did stop momentarily before turning into another road and driving off. As it was a residential street, I thought the vehicle may have parked somewhere, but it was nowhere to be seen when I had a quick look. No surprise there.

Itโ€™s actually no surprise I was hit by the vehicle thinking about it. Another driver, the other week, drove straight through regardless as I was crossing on a zebra crossing at a Tesco supermarket carpark. One vehicle to my right had stopped to allow me to cross, but the buffoon to the left turned out of one of the lanes and seemed oblivious to the fact that there was a crossing even there, let alone somebody using it.

Iโ€™ve seen vehicles overtaking queues of traffic on the wrong side of the road, on the wrong side of central reservationsโ€ฆ speeding drivers narrowly missing being involved in collisions as they race regardless around winding roads โ€“ again on the wrong side of the roadโ€ฆ I had a truck overtake me as I was driving on my right, only to turn left in front of me into the road I was approachingโ€ฆ I had a woman try to drive her car through my old car (literally, she rammed her car into the front of mine) as she wanted to turn left at a roundabout when she was in the wrong (right-turn) lane, but didnโ€™t indicate and just decided to go. She was extremely un-lady lake when I ferociously honked my horn at herโ€ฆ motorcyclists undertaking and overtaking at any given opportunityโ€ฆ cyclists at night dressed in black without lights on, some even sending text messages on their mobiles whilst peddling โ€“ I mean wobbling โ€“ into the path of trafficโ€ฆ Iโ€™ve seen drivers swing their doors wide open without checking if anything (cyclist or car) was approachingโ€ฆ  Iโ€™ve seen drivers reversing the wrong way along one way streets (so their car was facing the right way)โ€ฆ  Iโ€™ve had a โ€˜professionalโ€™ coach driver sound their horn at me as they sailed passed me at speed when I was stopping at a red traffic lightโ€ฆ on the news recently, there were images of impatient drivers driving the wrong way on a motorway to avoid a traffic hold upโ€ฆ and this list doesnโ€™t even touch the surface.

Iโ€™m a driver. I know how frustrating it can be. I know itโ€™s easy to make a mistake. But taking the time to think about the driving, rather than just blindly making the vehicle go, could save a whole lot of hassle. Being a little more patient, and courteous, both with yourself and the other โ€˜humansโ€™ on the road, could save a lot of stress. Taking time to look carefully, using the roads correctly, allowing others time to do their things, would actually make the driving experience a little more pleasurable.

And this could also prevent YOU from killing somebody on the road.

Fortunately, not all drivers are like this โ€“ it may just be my turn to see them on the roads โ€“ but if you drive any way like in the examples above, or equally as stupidly, just think. Take a step back. Give yourself time.

Hopefully, British roads will become much better in the near futureโ€ฆ thatโ€™s what Iโ€™m looking out for now. Itโ€™s a shame that a โ€˜near-death experienceโ€™ has prompted this post, but if this post encourages just one person to make a concerned effort to become a better driver, then writing the post has been worth it.

27 responses to “Oi, Britain!!!”

  1. Soul Gifts avatar
    Soul Gifts

    OMG Tom! Thank God you’re OK. And I know eactly what you’re talking about. Happens here too. This year in SA we have had such high numbers of road fatalities police have taken to the media to urge drivers to take more care….

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Raili.
      I realise the problem is everywhere, but had to single out the lot that mostly affect me. I’m OK, no bruises or anything, but my mind keeps going over the ‘what ifs?’ Writing the blog post has helped a little, even though it is somewhat moany and not of the usual calibre of post expected from my blog. Hehehe. Sometimes it’s just good to get it out…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Soul Gifts avatar
        Soul Gifts

        Better out than in Tom! I’ve had a few of those close calls myself. It is scary.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Tom avatar

          Certainly not the kind of thing you’d want to happen, Raili.
          A bruise appeared on my leg a few days later, which has now cleared, but the whole incident has made me even more wary of drivers now. Any one of them has the chance of being a raving lunatic! Sigh. Such are the times we live in, I suppose…

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Soul Gifts avatar
            Soul Gifts

            ๐Ÿ˜ฏ๐Ÿ˜ช

            Liked by 1 person

  2. CMStewart avatar

    Wow! Glad you’re OK Tom! This is why I don’t drive — I’d be a nervous wreck with all the crazies out there. I’m good at zoning out as a passenger, though. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, CM… only I was walking earlier, not driving! Gah!!! Zoning out’s good for a passenger, but not recommended for other road crazies… I mean users. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Liked by 2 people

  3. anotherday2paradise avatar

    So glad youโ€™re okay, Tom. I agree with you about the terrible drivers out there. People are in such a rush these days. Only two nights ago, someone pulled out of a car park and drove against the traffic so that they wouldnโ€™t have to go down to the lights and do a u-turn. Iโ€™ve noticed that there are very few traffic police around these days, so drivers just donโ€™t have any fear of being caught.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Sylvia. I sometimes wonder if folk actually think. Impatience has a lot to answer for, hasn’t it? Well, that and free reign…

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Elaine avatar

    Your not having much luck lately! Have you thought about online shopping ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      It’s all go around here, Elaine! ๐Ÿ˜
      Online shopping requires drivers to deliver, and I’m ‘off’ drivers at the moment. They’d probably bring the wrong stuff anyway…

      Liked by 2 people

  5. bcparkison avatar

    and right here at thanksgiving we have something else to be thankful for. Glad you are ok.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Beverly. Just a bit shaken, stirred and shunted, but otherwise OK.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. samanthamurdochblog avatar
    samanthamurdochblog

    Hope you’re all right – I don’t think I would learn to drive now…far too many “incautious” people on the road, and that’s a polite way of putting it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Hehehe! Incautious people – that’s a wonderfully polite description for them, Samantha!
      The terms I use at times couldn’t be repeated in polite company. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. samanthamurdochblog avatar
        samanthamurdochblog

        Sometimes I have to make an extra-special effort to be polite…lol!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Tom avatar

          Always better in the long run! ๐Ÿ™‚

          Liked by 1 person

  7. BeckyB avatar

    So glad you’re ok xx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Becky. Hehehe! Me too! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Diane Henders avatar

    Yikes! I’m glad you’re okay, Tom. That could have turned out very badly indeed. Stay safe out there!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Diane. I do try… but as my school reports used to say, I “must try harder”!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. prenin avatar

    Hi Tom! ๐Ÿ™‚ โค

    You are aware that you’re worth 40 points? ๐Ÿ˜‰ โค

    Seriously though: Too many drivers these days drive like they are in a race and do stupid things.

    I’ve had a few bad experiences over the decades, both as a biker and as a pedestrian, so I can relate.

    Leaving your home does seem to mean putting your life in somebody else’s hands! :/ โค

    Blessed Be my friend!

    Prenin.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Only 40, Prenin? Sigh. Even that shunt I got felt like at least a 50…
      All we can do is be more aware that some of those around us are less aware… to put it mildly.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Chris Hall avatar

    It least you’re okay, Tom, but that must’ve been scary. It sounds as if things have got worse in the UK since I was last there, although I nearly got run off the road by a huge truck on the M57 just before I left.
    Here in South Africa, it is surely MUCH worse. People, especially in 4x4s, for the most past drive appallingly, usually while on their phones. Undertaking, overtaking in no overtaking areas, switching lanes without warning… the speed limit is just a suggestion! No laws are enforced. People drive without a licence, without insurance, and the equivalent of the MOT test is only required when selling a vehicle.
    Sorry.
    Rant over.
    I needed to get that out too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Eek! Sorry to hear about your drivers over there, Chris. They really are everywhere, aren’t they???
      Sometimes, it’s good to rant! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

  11. restlessjo avatar

    Good grief! Having read the last 2 posts I wondered how you could say things were ok, Tom. I guess you mean you’re still here! Thank God, but not drivers, hey? Please take care out there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Jo… I do my best. Hehehe!
      These things happen, I suppose… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

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