Events of the last day or so have forced me to think again about something that I think about a lot. Road safety. Now before you switch off bear with me. Given what I do for a living it is a very large part of my day, and I have to give it a lot of thought.

I have spent a lot of time honing and improving my driving and I will continue to do so, I take it very seriously, the licence and ability to drive are not a right, they are a privilege. Now I know that this at odds with the way that a lot of people see me, I do take some things very seriously. This is one of them. Sorry, knob jokes will return soon enough.

As an ex instructor I am more aware of the level of driving skill that most people have. I have never understood what it is about certain people that think as soon as they have passed their test that makes them a good driver. No, it means you have achieved a basic standard that is required by law.

I have a frying pan, and I am reasonable cook. This does not make me Gordon Ramsey. Why? Two things, talent and most importantly (and this is the one that people don’t want to hear) practice. that and too little general swearing, but let’s not get bogged down in the general Gordyness of the moment.

You know that musician that you like? Lot’s of practice. Writer? The same. Ditto every TV programme, book, magazine, song, recipe and so on that you like. Someone put in a lot of effort to achieve the level that they have.

Lewis Hamilton has been driving carts since he was a young un, and Michael Schumacher first drove at 3! So then, do you think that the snotty nosed little gimp down the road who has been driving once a week for 3 months is going to be good? Maybe. It is pretty unlikely though.

I would like to add that I am not getting at the inexperienced driver here, well not only them. How many times have you heard someone, or yourself, say  something like “I wouldn’t be able to pass a test today” and then laugh?

Think about it, what you are actually saying is, “I am not up to standard with safe road driving through allowing myself to become lazy and blase.” Not so amusing now is it?

In my position at work I do see the worst and best of other road users, people pushing their way past other road users just to get to the supermarket quicker. People that tailgate other road users are another one, hanging a nanometre from the back of your car just because you aren’t going as quick as they want. Dangerous driving, plain and simple. Not funny or amusing it is dangerous bullying behaviour. End of discussion.

That is one of the issues with the modern car due to the improved cockpit, better sound insulation, heating and ventilation, safety and so on we are becoming emotionally divorced from what is going on outside. I am no psychologist, thankfully, but it is clear to see that some people who in normal life are nice normal people become raging psychopaths behind the wheel.

We need to improve the ability and attitude of all road users, old and new or at least maintain them. I am wary to give my complete opinions on the way forward, for reasons that I won’t go into, but I will say that we need to start treating driving with the importance it deserves.

You make a mistake in the office (assuming that you have an office job for a moment) and some paperwork is incorrect.

Make a mistake on the road and people can die.

If you are wondering what triggered this off, it is this: http://www.batleynews.co.uk/news/Fatal-crash-near-Oakwell-Hall.5253594.jp

Thank you for your indulgence,

Trev