WhipLash
12-03-2004, 05:11 PM
Over the last while I’ve noticed a growing trend of motorists trying anything they can to skip standing traffic. Some of these would be bordering on being classified as dangerous even reckless driving. I’d imagine that the drivers don’t even realise the possible trouble they could end up being in if they were seen in the act by the Garda.
Here’s a few I’ve noticed, I guess they might be hard to picture from just reading, but here goes:
Lane Rammers
Picture this. You are on a road with several lanes, two to three at least (mostly seen on roads with 3 lanes). One of the lanes moves much slower then the rest as it is for turning either left or right only and the flow is interrupted by lights. The other lanes are for going straight only. I’ve seen many drivers tear down in the empty lane beside the one that’s full . They then stop right beside where the full lane turns, indicate, and barge their way in as if they have right of way. Usual offenders: large Mercs, large 4x4’s (BMW X5 drivers especially come to mind) and of course Taxi drivers (grr!).
Driving on the Opposite
Similar to the above, only this time either on single or two lane roads. All lanes have tailbacks, and so there’s no where to skip the traffic, not! An impatient driver wants to turn right, but must pass 50+ cars to do so. Well on they go and pass the standing traffic, by driving down the opposite side of the road! Even sneakier, some drivers take this manoeuvre hugging the kerb on the opposite (wrong) side of the road. So in other words they conjure up an imaginary lane on the opposite side of the road heading in the wrong direction! - this allows a little room for unforeseen oncoming cars to pass by up the middle. It even allows them to come to a complete stop and pretend they are parked up in case the law should happen to appear! This is a very dangerous practise IMHO. Usual offenders: VW drivers.
Light Breakers
Similar to the first, but even worse as this time it involves driving through pedestrian lights. Lets say you are on a 2/3 lane road which comes to a T junction, of which you can only turn left or right. The left turn merges with the traffic from the main road using a yield sign. The right-hand side lane turns right only. Splitting both lanes where they merge onto the main road at the T Junction is a traffic island which also contains pedestrian lights. I’ve seen some driver go up the right-hand side lane, sit at the traffic lights until they go green, and instead of turning right (the only legal direction to go), they turn left and run through the green pedestrian light in order to bypass the queue going left. Again a very dangerous move IMHO, especially if anyone is actually crossing the pedestrian crossing. Only the other day I saw some of these getting booked by the police for their stupidity, but it still continues Usual offenders: Micra’s, want-to-be boy racers.
So is it just me, or are drivers getting more reckless when it comes to heavy traffic? Have you noticed any of the above or other types of reckless driving? Or perhaps you are one of those risk takes?
Here’s a few I’ve noticed, I guess they might be hard to picture from just reading, but here goes:
Lane Rammers
Picture this. You are on a road with several lanes, two to three at least (mostly seen on roads with 3 lanes). One of the lanes moves much slower then the rest as it is for turning either left or right only and the flow is interrupted by lights. The other lanes are for going straight only. I’ve seen many drivers tear down in the empty lane beside the one that’s full . They then stop right beside where the full lane turns, indicate, and barge their way in as if they have right of way. Usual offenders: large Mercs, large 4x4’s (BMW X5 drivers especially come to mind) and of course Taxi drivers (grr!).
Driving on the Opposite
Similar to the above, only this time either on single or two lane roads. All lanes have tailbacks, and so there’s no where to skip the traffic, not! An impatient driver wants to turn right, but must pass 50+ cars to do so. Well on they go and pass the standing traffic, by driving down the opposite side of the road! Even sneakier, some drivers take this manoeuvre hugging the kerb on the opposite (wrong) side of the road. So in other words they conjure up an imaginary lane on the opposite side of the road heading in the wrong direction! - this allows a little room for unforeseen oncoming cars to pass by up the middle. It even allows them to come to a complete stop and pretend they are parked up in case the law should happen to appear! This is a very dangerous practise IMHO. Usual offenders: VW drivers.
Light Breakers
Similar to the first, but even worse as this time it involves driving through pedestrian lights. Lets say you are on a 2/3 lane road which comes to a T junction, of which you can only turn left or right. The left turn merges with the traffic from the main road using a yield sign. The right-hand side lane turns right only. Splitting both lanes where they merge onto the main road at the T Junction is a traffic island which also contains pedestrian lights. I’ve seen some driver go up the right-hand side lane, sit at the traffic lights until they go green, and instead of turning right (the only legal direction to go), they turn left and run through the green pedestrian light in order to bypass the queue going left. Again a very dangerous move IMHO, especially if anyone is actually crossing the pedestrian crossing. Only the other day I saw some of these getting booked by the police for their stupidity, but it still continues Usual offenders: Micra’s, want-to-be boy racers.
So is it just me, or are drivers getting more reckless when it comes to heavy traffic? Have you noticed any of the above or other types of reckless driving? Or perhaps you are one of those risk takes?