Tailgating and other dangerous activities.

by Sonia Davies

I cannot understand why so many drivers have issues about speed cameras. It's really very simple, don't exceed the speed limit and you won't be fined.

Yes, I am very aware I may get caught myself one day, but it will be all my own fault. If the speed limit is 30mph, it's because to go any faster would jeopardise the safety of others. But so many motorists seem to think that the rule "doesn't apply" to them.

They are "special" and "different" i.e.; above the law.

Then tailgating. "Does my 'ead in" as they say in a certain part of Swansea.

So often the culprits are white-van-men. The weather can be appalling, lashing down with rain, or icy and dicey, and still they insist on driving aggressively one metre away behind me.

This practice usually occurs on the road between Loughor and Gowerton. Sometimes the tailgaters are the sales-rep types in flashy BMWs (bet they are the types who wear lycra to go cycling as well) or boy-racers in little Clios.

I just let them go for it, let them overtake as soon as they can, safe in the knowledge that it'll gain them approximately.......5 metres? They studiously avoid eye contact at the Gowerton junction, they are not good losers.

And on to my biggest gripe of all. Drivers who Park On the Pavement, or even worse, who drive on the pavement!

When my children were much younger and had to be pushed in a buggy or walked to school, it was like an obstacle course.

On and off the pavement, due to illegally parked cars. One local mother used to live 200m away from the school, and would insist on driving her kids there each day.

She would mount the kerb (in her 4x4, naturally) and drive around the bend, on the pavement the whole time, unable to see if anyone was standing on the pavement around the corner!

I am not normally confrontational, not in public anyway but being a mother does make you more vocal. Especially if your tender offspring are compromised in any way, i.e. you become a helluva lot more chopsy!

So, once I pushed the buggy over someone's front lawn rather than go on the road as, their 4x4 was parked over the pavement!

Out ran this shrieking banshee of a woman, yelling abuse at me and accusing me of all sorts. She obviously didn't think it was a problem to cause an obstruction.

I didn't lose my temper with her, and politely addressed her as "Madam" (which she clearly was!) and she shrieked even louder!

The same mental attitude applies to mobile phone use whilst driving.

"It doesn't apply to me" and you see them all laughing away, chatting away on their mobiles, yummy mummies in their (sorry!) 4x4s, dolly birds in their Ka's, and businessmen in their slinky hatchbacks.

So there! It's out in the open! My angst has been shared publically!

See you all on the road tomorrow??????

Sonia Davies

Sonia is a Health Visitor, wife, mother of two and owns two dogs (labrador and a husky)

She lives in Llanelli, goes for very long walks, was an International Competition Organiser for Welsh Rhythmic Gymnastics, plays piano, and of course, likes to write!

To read more of Sonia's work, visit http://ladiesversed.blogspot.com/

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