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What is it about our interpretation of Rules and Regulations that make us so arrogant as to our ‘Rights’, that we lay claim to a particular course of action that in the reality of the Big House will cost us Time and a considerable donation to the county’s exchequer. Many examples of this exist nationwide, some of which I outline hereunder, but so as to not leave out those that oversee our passage on the nation’s highways, I note some of their ambiguous gestures also. Should you have seen, or better still have in your possession a photo of what I mean, send it on and we will publish for the greater good of all who might have to cross the path of its content. Days, dates, names and faces not required to save embarrassment or litigation.

Fog lights

Compulsory on the rear of a car and an added extra on the front of most others, fog lights should be activated when visibility is reduced to less than 100 metres in for example, fog. Except here on the old sod where every car fitted with front fog lights has them on night, noon and morning, whether there is fog or not. Anyone who has traveled in the UK or continental Europe will not see this phenomena. Over there they have real fog, while over here it is purely imaginary. Our nation’s capital is scourged with this affliction, possibly the legacy of Graham Stoker’s dabbling in Transylvanian mist. Whilst traveling under street lights the use of parking/side lights together with the front fogs is another favourite amongst those equipped with the all-seeing eye. My own opinion is that the fogs, particularly front, are a fashion item used to visually dress, despite the fact that they blind on-coming traffic and are therefore very distracting and dangerous, particularly in wet conditions. Get a bit of savvy folks, flick the switch.

Black Magic

Car glass is great stuff. It allows the light in, keeps the cold out and keeps the flow of visual information at a level required for the safe transit of me, you and a dog named Boo. Why then plaster the same glass with black laminate and all but eradicate this flow of information? Users should look at the wrapping this laminate comes in whereon they will note a warning as to its use and application. It should not be used on the front windscreen, drivers and passenger front windows. The disregard by which these windows are black laminated is highly dangerous and convictions have been levied on users under infringements of the Construction, Equipment and Use Act, Road traffic Act 1961/94. Whether the physical application of the laminate is also an offence is another question. Is money being passed over by the enthusiasm of youth to customize their car with the full knowledge of its illegality by the supplier? I fully understand the need to customize, but it is simply not cool when this renders the car dangerous/illegal. A quick phone call to your insurance company as to their opinion on you changing the specification of your car might be interesting. Remember they insure the car based on the manufacturers specification, not that of Kerbside Alterations. By all means customize but don’t go into sick bird territory, (ill-eagle).

When right is wrong

Every dual-carriageway in the country suffers from this ailment. The right lane is generally occupied by 90% of traffic while the left is the place no one wants to be. Are they in preparation for full European integration or is the road tax cheaper on the right side? No, Nada, Nein.

We are given access to our road network as long as we obey some rules and obligations. One of them states clearly that we drive on the left side of the road, as long as doing so causes no danger to other road users. Anyone studying for their Driving Test will get to know the three occasions when it is permissible to overtake on the left. All this is totally forgotten when a dual carriageway manifests itself and everyone vies for right lane occupancy.

The right lane/offside lane/ lane 2/overtaking lane is never the ‘fast lane’ albeit referred to as such by the multitude. Once you have completed your overtake, you are obliged to re-enter, if safe to do so, the left lane and continue on your journey. It is not unusual to find a car in the right lane substantially below the speed limit and refusing to allow legitimate overtaking. This results in the driver at the rear either undertaking via the left lane, which is illegal, or a volcanic increase in the blood pressure of the same driver. Either way it is not good driving etiquette. It is vital not to allow the behaviour of the aggressive, ignorant, or mentally detached to influence your safety. There are people out there who are apparently willing to swap 15 feet of tarmac for 6 feet of grass. Check your mirror, ease to your left and let them by. You don’t really want to let them walk around inside your head?

What niggles you?

What are your high blood pressure inducements? Is there one thing that turns you from the reasonable law abiding member of the public that you are, into a demonic alter ego? No need to name or shame, just sent us your tales of woe and if nothing else the exorcism will have cleansed your tortured soul.

Patrick is a member of the web team that helps run the website BeepBeep.ie which is a used car website in Ireland with helpful information on motoring advice, latest car news and used cars for sale.