The Mumbling Motorist Asks - Who is the Ass – the Driver or the Law?
Since moving to Lancashire, I have been puzzled by the laws here concerning the hapless Driver.
Why are the Drivers made to suffer the ridiculously slow speed limit of 50mph on duel carriageways? And you have to smile in case you’re caught on camera. Bad Karma. That’s not the worst of it, why oh why, on a 50mph road, am I always stuck behind someone who sticks at around 40mph, and slaps their brakes on with gusto when they see a speed camera? Fellow Drivers, on a 50mph road please do 50mph! It won’t hurt and it will stop people becoming frustrated and trying to overtake you. Talking of the 50pmh speed limit on what would normally be national speed limit roads, a friend told me that he thinks that instead of putting a decent road surface and crash barriers between the carriageways, it's just cheaper to reduce the speed limit..hmm a point to ponder.
Personally I feel that if you slow Drivers can’t cope with the speed that you are allowed (and expected by fellow motorists) to do, then hang up your driving gloves, hand in your licence, sell your Nissan Micra and enjoy the sensation of going slow – catch a bus.
If you lose concentration (one sneeze and you’ve had it) I guess you would be quick enough to be caught and yet, it’s when the Driver stops driving I find that the law is a little two faced.
Car parking here is a joke. Cars parked on junctions, double parked, on pavements – all illegal but where are the Police then? If you need to line your coffers – you will find rich pickings in the towns and villages on Fylde.
Here are a couple of culprits caught on my camera phone. The number plates have been blacked out but are available to the Police if required:
Amazing, this car wins the three prizes!
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Parked on the pavement
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Too close to the junction to the right in the picture
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Too close to the junction behind it
Most days, I have had to leave the footpath and walk on the road because a certain 4X4 is parked on the pavement each day. Some days it’s parked closer to the hedge than others, so if I can’t suck my stomach in and crab-walk past it then it’s the road for me.
The picture above shows three cars in on the act in one street. The car furthest away is the one I have to often leave the footpath for. Not only are they breaking the law by parking on the pavement, but the two nearest are parked opposite each other – narrowing the access to the road. Wonderful!
Who ever lays down the law here – please give a thought to Pedestrians and people who try to drive around towns in this area.
Large vans and lorries parked on corners in a certain village make slowly sidling past them very interesting indeed. The Drivers with the lead boot on the other side of the road don’t slow down – in fact, I have heard that the Villages of Clifton & Newton-With-Scales and a certain road from Treales to Kirkham are due to be re-classed as the next Grand Prix racing track, especially at times coinciding with the shift change at the enchantingly named Springfields.
Take the speed cameras (and restrictions) off the duel carriageways and put them into the villages where they are really needed, then the Pedestrian may cease to be a dying breed. I often stroll around and am constantly amazed by the way people dump their cars (They think it's called parking....) I have put some 'no brainers' here for you to see. It will be updated regularly, registration plates have been blanked out but are available to the lads in Blue!
Regards,
The Mumbling Motorist
Email: pointsofview@blueyonder.co.uk
