Dear Sir,

I travel from Southampton to Smith’s parish and back every workday of the week. During these journeys, if I do not see at least ten serious accidents waiting to happen, it would be considered a good journey.

For years I have been composing a letter in my head to you, but I have never done anything about it until now, so please allow me some space.

I have come to the conclusion that for the vast majority of road users, once their backsides sit in or on the seat of their vehicle, they squeeze all the oxygen out of their brains and they lose all common sense, common courtesy, foresight and the ability to have a reasonable thought.

The rules of the road fly out of the window.

There is supposed to be a “safe braking distance” when you are travelling behind another road user — based on the speed you are going — but most people like to sit on the bumper of the car in front, without considering that the person may have to hit the brakes hard to avoid an unforeseen incident or, heaven forbid, try to avoid hitting a child.

If you dare to make your displeasure known, they get more aggressive and come even closer, if at all possible.

I should create a large sign to stick out of the window, which says “PASS or BACK OFF!”

The message being: if you cannot overtake immediately, then back off until it is safe to do so. Do not torment me for five or ten minutes. I expect that would lead only to some choice curse words being shouted, so it may be pointless. Also, in a slow-moving line of traffic, I always think it is best to leave quite a few feet in front of my car for the “bats out of hell” on bikes to dip into should a Mack Truck or a bus come zooming towards them.

But most people get as close as possible to the vehicle in front, as if this will make their journey shorter.

There are a lot a people who are concerned with what the police are doing about the traffic situation.

They cannot force road users to make the right choices; nor can they install brains in vacant spaces.

Thank you for letting me vent.

LCL

Southampton