Motorists Now!

I have tiraded so adamantly against regulating cyclists off footpaths that some people might perhaps have begun to think that I am just “that driver type who just wants cyclists off my road, lah!” In fact, no. I am against irresponsibility in all forms by all parties – pedestrians, cyclists, drivers. I’ve already tackled the cyclists and pedestrians in my previous post. Now for the drivers:

1. Don’t give me that stupid look on your face and say you pay road tax and the cyclist doesn’t. The Advanced Theory of Driving by Traffic Police mandates you give way, and a lot of way at that. Besides, road tax is being phased out, so that’s one less (flawed) argument you can use.
2. Re-read your Advanced Theory.
3. Re-read it again. Take note of the points saying you should give way. If you’ve got the 6th Ed., they are clauses 203 to 206 on pages 92 to 93. Not only are cyclists allowed on the roads, you should give way to them. FYI: The latest edition (7th) – dated March 08 – has the points with exactly the same numbers on exactly the same pages.
4. Don’t give me that look again which says you still think cyclists should be off the roads and on the footpaths. The road isn’t yours. Give way. You are not a “rightful” road user who is “above all others”.
5. Drill points 1 to 4 in your head.
6. You think putting someone else’s life in danger is worth one traffic light’s time? You are the one who should be in hell, not the cyclist.
7. Double-drill point 6 into your head.
8. If you haven’t, redo points 1 to 7.
9. If you still deny the above, then may you get countless traffic police summons, demerit points and fines, and lose your license.
10. If you still think your grandfather owns the road, the next time you nearly knock a cyclist down, he could be your own grandfather. Or one of your relatives. Maybe a child. Maybe a minister’s son, or the president’s son. Think of the consequences.
11. Won’t happen? Let me ask you – how many times in your life have you felt that “shit happens”?

I am not f*cking joking. Do I have to repeat? I am not f*cking joking. Being responsible on the roads, looking out for the safety of yourself and others and not expecting the red-carpet treatment is no laughing matter. Especially when you are operating a lethal 1.5 ton machine. If you are incapable, get out of it and don’t go anywhere near it. And that probably applies to a lot of you, given the way you like to rush past traffic lights and zebra crossings, overtake on the left, tailgate, bla bla bla. Don’t give me that nonchalant look. You know who you are.

I’m watching. God is watching. Buddha is watching. Allah is watching. All the Gods you believe in are watching. TP is watching. What goes around comes around.