I'm bemused by all the fuss about getting in and out of the new Redwood shopping centre.
I will be the first to admit that when plans for the centre were first announced, I wondered where the entrances and exits would go and how that would work. Since the stores there opened I've been in and out of there quite frequently. So far, no problems.
The first time I didn't realise you couldn't do a righthand turn into the carpark from Tarawera Rd until I was almost ready to turn. Then I spotted the signs so I drove a short distance up the road, turned into a side street and came back down. Since then I've entered via Te Ngae Rd without any difficulty.
I guess one day I might end up not being able to switch to the left lane in time, will miss the entrance and be slightly annoyed at having to find somewhere to turn in, turn around and try again. Big deal. I'm sure I'll get over it. I certainly would never consider vandalising a sign because I disagree with a ruling to not allow a right turn from Tarawera Rd. How childish.
Perhaps I've just been lucky. Perhaps it's all down to good timing on my part, albeit it a fluke, but either way, I don't envision the carnage others are predicting - provided people are considerate, patient and careful.
Hmm, considerate, patient and careful drivers; I might be reaching too high.
The biggest problem at that particular roundabout is most people don't slow down a jot as they approach and just assume they can race right through without a care. That's what will cause problems at the shopping centre entrance if ever there are any real and valid issues - drivers' unwillingness to give any consideration to other drivers.
Everyone's got somewhere to go and sometimes you need to change lanes to get there. It would be lovely to think that if you indicate in time, people will give you a second of space so you can move to where you need to be. How silly of me to think it could be that easy.
Have you ever noticed that in Auckland people regularly allow cars to switch lanes in front of them once they've indicated where they want to be?
In amongst all that traffic, people still have the patience to let others in. It's just what you do.
Of course, for some drivers an indicator is merely something that pokes out of the steering wheel. Just the other day I was driving behind a bloke who twice slowed and moved towards the side of the road as if to turn, only to change his mind. When he finally did turn off he had completed about half of the turn before bothering to indicate. By then I was well aware he wanted to turn.
A day later a man (yes another male driver I'm happy to tell you) made a couple of turns ahead of me without even attempting to use his indicator.
You have to develop a sixth sense as a driver, an ability to just know when someone is going to perform some sort of manoeuvre abruptly and without any acknowledgement that they are in fact sharing the road with others. Perhaps this sixth sense is what has seen me manage to get myself into and out of the Redwood shopping centre without incident - so far.
I continue to live in hope of a better driving world. In the meantime, I shall try to keep calm and carry on.
Ingrid Tiriana is a freelance writer based in Rotorua.