Road rules there for a reason

Common courtesy, common decency, common sense.

Such simple concepts - albeit somewhat vague to define. And, if we're honest, not actually that common.

And there is one area in particular where these are in short supply - on our roads.

Driving habits are one area that raise the ire of normally calm people and I would have to confess I'm no exception. I can't help but nod in agreement reading various surveys pointing out people's pet hates, things like failing to indicate, tailgating, hugging the centre line and people who speed up at passing lanes.

Now I don't profess to be perfect, far from it. Maybe I occasionally sneak over the speed limit or become distracted but generally I do my best to maintain my own safety and that of other road users.

Not everyone shares that view - there are drivers who routinely put themselves and others at huge risk.

Of course there are degrees of risk but some things are just downright dangerous.

I saw something the other day that falls into that category and had me shaking my head in disbelief.

There we were, on Victoria Ave, following a vehicle and the woman driver was reading a map as she progressed along the road. Everyone must be aware of the law regarding texting and driving and why that is dangerous but I thought reading a map was taking things a bit too far. How hard would it be to pull over to decide what route you needed to take?

And she wasn't idling along, rather she showed a predilection for acceleration through intersections that wouldn't have been out of place at Bathurst. All the while perusing a map.

Utter madness. I wish I'd noted the number plate to report her. For your information, be warned, watch out for the young woman driving the red Impreza, because chances are she won't see you - she's still trying to work out where she's going.

Equally as dangerous are the people who insist on running red lights. Almost every morning I see a car go through an intersection at the moment or even after my light has gone green. If I was the kind of person who edges forward impatiently as so many do in anticipation of the green, I could have had several crashes by now.

Many of the driving behaviour pet hates listed in surveys have a common denominator. They are indicative of a general lack of decency, courtesy and common sense. All of which goes to show that those traits simply aren't that common at all.

Perhaps if they were employed a little more, our road toll wouldn't be so high.

Share your driving frustrations, or weird driving habits you've witnessed; email: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz