Road rage is unfortunately becoming more prevalent in today’s society. Possibly it is because there are more vehicles, and possibly because more folks own their own car. But the other possibility that comes to mind is that folks, once behind the wheel of their favorite transport device, simply don't use common sense or common courtesy.
One of the things that New Zealand has never incorporated into its road rules is the rule that, on a divided 4 lane highway, the "outside lane" is to be used for passing only. Most other countries have done that at some point, but unfortunately not this one. Why? Legislators will have to answer that one I'm afraid.
But law or not, why is it that some people hog that outside lane and then, once in it, either maintain the exact same speed as everyone in the other lane, or indeed, in some cases, slow down? Is it because they feel they are the only person on the road? Is it because they lose all sense of common courtesy to other drivers?
I tend to think it is the latter. And for that reason, when encountering someone who does this, I have dubbed them "Road Nazis". In other
words, the feeling from these drivers seems to be "it's my road and I'll drive at the speed I want. I don't care how fast you may want to go. I'm going to make you go this speed."
Now don't get me wrong. I am NOT advocating driving over the speed limit. I am, however, saying that common sense and common courtesy on the road would prevent a lot of the "road rage" we see in road travel, and possibly lessen the dangerous situations other drivers put us all in as a result of frustration with the right lane Hogs.
So a plea from me to the motoring public: Whether it is law or not, start adopting the principle that the left lane in New Zealand is the "Travelling" lane, and the right lane is the "Passing" lane. Use them as such and we might see more amenable drivers on our roads. Don't and you run the risk of being yet another Road Nazi and putting us all at risk.
And a short message to those in Parliament: How about doing something about making this a part of our legislation for driving safety? Remember, you and your families (and constituents) use the roads too.
Just my musings...
Mac
