Saturday 27 November 2010

Don't be a drip , merge like a zip

How many drips does it take to create a flood of accidents?

No matter where you go in Christchurch, and probably all over New Zealand, people don't know the difference between overtaking on the left and merging to one lane. They are certainly spelt differently so I'm not sure where the confusion sets in.

Whenever 2 straight-through lanes at traffic lights merge into one on the other side, it seems that the public road suddenly changes into a drag strip with cars in the left lane furiously wasting petrol trying to overtake as many cars as possible before finally merging at the very last second.

Never mind about the unsuspecting pedestrian pushing a stroller who wants to cross over to the shops a few yards further, not to mention the 3 cyclists trying to do their bit to save the planet.

Personally I feel that people are completely ignorant about other road users. If one is in such a hurry as to have to take such risks only to be 2 or 3 cars in front at the next traffic light, then maybe they should have been more responsible and left a few minutes earlier in order to arrive at their destination in time.


While I understand that sometimes, unforeseen circumstances make people late for their appointment, airplane or other reason, though with the frequency of idiotic drivers I see on the road, I'm sure there is more to it than valid reasons.

I'd appreciate your comments on this.