From time to time, usually when there has not been a recent tragic road death, the roads appear to "go ballistic''. We seem to be in one of those periods now. Drivers right now give every appearance of bordering on "absolutely crazy''.

As a result, we think that the roads are a source of great danger. They are very difficult for local drivers who are familiar with the conditions on the roads but they must be doubly difficult for cycle riding visitors on unfamiliar roads, unfamiliar vehicles and on the "wrong'' side of the road.

Conditions are bad enough to cause serious concern about the safety of road users. It is difficult to feel concern for those who wilfully endanger themselves but it is very easy to be concerned about those people who are put at risk by others.

While there is a great deal of speeding, much of it condoned by the authorities, it is clear that only a slow speed limit stands between road users and death. Any increase in the limit would give permission for killer speeds. Indeed, there might be an argument for lowering the limit, thus decreasing the margin of grace allowed.

If you stay anywhere under about 30 m.p.h. everyone, but everyone, seems to pass you. Already it is difficult to pull out of driveways, even with a clear road as far as you can see, because speeding vehicles are on you before you can get out safely...and they act as if you are in the wrong.

Riding on the inside of a line of traffic seems to be acceptable these days if we are to judge by its frequency. Very often riding on the inside is accompanied by a good deal of zig zagging in and out of the traffic. Far too often that happens at stop lights when drivers are distracted by watching the lights and the lines of traffic.

There are many times when drivers have to wonder why there are not more bad accidents but the truth seems to be that the people dodging in and out learn to do so with skill. That does not mean that they have a right to do so to the peril of other road users.

It is amazing how often the rider is a woman with a small child either perched perilously in front of her or clinging to the back. She speeds along, darting in and out, passing cars and giving every appearance of being oblivious to the presence of the child. Natural instinct should lead to careful riding with children on the cycle but very often that does not appear to be the case.

In the midst of all this, trucks go rumbling along with loads that are either uncovered or poorly secured. To do so is illegal but very often the offences are ignored. If you are careful enough to leave any safety space between your vehicle and the one ahead you can guarantee that someone will pass you and occupy the space. Buses speed and pull out from bus stops like big bullys, paying very little attention to other drivers. Police cars scream by so often they give rise to the joke that they are on their way to lunch. Stop signs and traffic lights are often there to be ignored. Vehicles making excessive noise are everywhere these days. Drivers park cars wherever they like in order to talk with their friends or to accommodate passengers, ignoring other traffic.

Joggers often appear to be oblivious to their own safety. Pedal cyclists think they own the roads, riding three abreast, which is illegal, streaming behind cars and speeding up if you try to overtake them. The list is endless.

With the crowding on our roads we have to learn to use them properly or they are going to be unuseable. One solution is a traffic squad, divorced from the Police Service, and dedicated only to controlling the roads. That will free the Police to deal with crime and drugs and make traffic the top priority for one group.