You Give Me Road Rage!
The road sign is round, with a white background and a thick black diagonal stripe running through it. What is it? The national speed limit sign, that’s what!
By my reckoning, on a country road this translates to 50MPH. So why do people insist on driving down these roads at 30MPH? What is wrong with these people?
Take Tuesday, for instance. I’m heading home after an intense day’s work, and decide to take a less-busy country road. Tootling along in my old banger, listening to Kiss, when I round upon a slow driver.
Ah well, I thought, I’m in no hurry. So I relaxed on the accelerator and prepared for a leisurely drive home.
Sadly, this was not to be….the car in front started to slow down even more, approaching 30MPH and in places even slower. And despite my pleading for the car to turn off somewhere, it seemed to be heading in the same direction as me. Now I wasn’t in any hurry, but I could have walked home faster! Blood was beginning to boil…
At this point, I started to look for a point where I could overtake - and I don’t like overtaking, as a rule! But being a country road, there were too many twists and turns for me to pass safely. Damn.
Further on, the road levelled off and I was able to see clearly ahead of me. I began to pass. A hidden dip in the road had concealed an oncoming car, so I had to pull back in fast! Eventually, I summed up the courage to try overtaking again. Just as I was passing my dawdling nemesis, another car appears out of another hidden dip in the road. I hit the accelerator and finished overtaking. Phew….
Until I came upon a tractor….
I’m not a reckless driver by nature. I actually avoid overtaking unless I absolutely have to. And as a rule, I find slower drivers to be much more dangerous than speeders, because of the frustration they cause and the actions they can cause other drivers to take.
So, if you drive at a snail’s pace - have a bit of decency and pull in occasionally to let other cars past. Thank you.
Hear hear, Mr. Levee. BTW, the national speed limit on country roads in actually 60 MPH.
That’s too racy for me, El Mat. But it’s no wonder I’m always getting overtaken, then!
So it dosn’t just happen to me. Everytime I drive on country roads, in particular if Im in a hurry, I meet the same obsticles. Wonder if its the same slow driver, tractor and hidden dips - could it be they travel arround the country?
I had to reply to this post. As most people who know me can confirm I do suffer occasional road rage. These slow, incompetent drivers irritate me too. The make other drivers take unnecessary risks out of frustration. How did they pass their test?
You’re so right Mr Levee. I’m a big time sufferer of road rage when confronted with slow/stupid drivers.
I remember when learning my road signs there was a minimum speed limit sign - where are these? Has anyone ever seen one? Perhaps the powers that be should consider wider implementation of them?
Listening to Kiss? Aarghhhh…
I have a terrible problem with road rage
That said try driving in Newry and then you will see the real meaning and manifestation of road rage
My solution was a front-loaded bazooka on my car - ‘A’ Team style! Of course, I’d use the megaphone on top of the car to issue a 20-second warning, but that would be all!
David: My penchant for hair metal will be my undoing…