Roadway resolutions for 2004

THE EDITOR: It’s that time of year where we take stock of our accomplishments for the year just past and make resolutions for the year to come. We just don’t seem to keep some of these resolutions though, so I have come up with some that I may be able to keep if I were really serious about contributing to society. If I were a private car driver, my first resolution for the New Year would be to remember that I am not the only driver on the road. My second resolution would be to remember one of the basic laws of the road, which states that I should keep left except when overtaking. You see I have three mirrors to choose from, so I will be able to see faster traffic approaching, so that I can get out of the way. Resolution number three: When I am approaching a portion of the roadway where there is an obstruction in my line, I will NOT flash my headlights indicating that I am coming through.

Number four. When I am parking, I will try not to obstruct driveways, other parked cars or even the rest of the roadway. Number five. When “plying my private car for hire” as the media usually describes me, I will try to understand that I am not the only one “hustling” for a dollar. So I will try to extend courtesies to other road users. And as I am on that point, number six comes up. I will not create a “hot” line, thereby obstructing all other traffic at road junctions. As a pedestrian I also have some New Year resolutions. When it has been raining, I will try not to stand next to puddles on the roadway so that I don’t have to cuss and carry on when I get splashed and covered with muddy water from passing cars. As a school student, I will remember that I am not an international model, so when drivers allow me to cross busy intersections, I will hurry across. As a member of the travelling public, I will take the time to observe my surroundings when entering or exiting a taxi. This will ensure that (1) I am not run over by passing vehicles, and (2) I will not cause mishaps by flinging open doors in to the path of oncoming vehicles.

I will also have the patience and understanding to allow the driver to pull over safely and stop to let me off when it is safe to do so. If there is a crosswalk or walkover, I will use it. I will not take chances dodging in and out of passing cars. As a law enforcement officer, I too have some New Year resolutions. I cannot stand idly by and turn a blind eye to drivers who break red lights, drive on the shoulder, and stop in the middle of the road to collect or drop off passengers. At night, I cannot be too busy so as not to observe vehicles on the road with defective lights. You see, as a law enforcement officer, I have come to realise that I need to deal with the little crimes now before they escalate into bigger crimes. And my most important resolution of all; no matter who I am in the New Year, I resolve to wear my seatbelt, whether I am “just going down the road,” or on a lengthy journey.

ANDR? EDWARDS
The Academy Of Auto Mechanics Ltd