Weather is snow great surprise

Sir, – Reading The Courier on Thursday I was struck by the fact that the first seven pages were given over to the coverage of the snow and resulting ‘chaos’ caused.

Having lived in Scotland for 65 years I had a feeling in my bones that snow was on its way again as it is almost every year.

When it does come we resort to statements like ‘the first time ever Scotland has had a red snow warning’.

Some railways closed, road transport in some areas ground to a halt.

At the airport, some flights were cancelled.

People were stranded at the airport – despite being warned there may be delays and to check with their operator.

People blatantly ignored the timely warnings then suffered from their own ignorance and lack of common sense.

Take the issue of school closures. If I still had young children then I would not depend on schools or councils to tell me if it was safe for my children to attend school.

It seems, however, that being a parent does not bring with it common sense or a sense of responsibility.

As always, we blame everyone but ourselves.

If I didn’t go out in the car today I would not be having to spend hours stranded on a motorway, depending on other people to rescue me.

If I allow my children to stay at home, rather than take a gamble that the school bus and the school will be available, then school staff would not need to risk their own lives to be in school.

If I leave the car at home or even, God forbid, I stay at home myself then perhaps the emergency services will have more time to treat other risk takers.

Emergency staff, nurses, doctor, firemen, police, all face the same difficulties as everyone else, and are considered a necessity because of the lack of common sense in so many people.

Just like being a parent, a driving licence does not bring with it any common sense. That is obvious.

Of course, there will be some employers who insist staff get to work.

Will it take a government act to force certain vehicles off the road in adverse conditions ?

Does it require the national government, local council, or even police to enforce ‘common sense’ upon the people?

Unfortunately, those people who are affected or inconvenienced by the snow would rather blame the government/council, school teachers and heads, police, ambulance drivers/paramedics, fire fighters, bus drivers and probably even Westminster or Holyrood.

However, these are the very people who must and will be there to pick up the pieces of our own selfish actions.

Guess what, it’s going to snow next winter again.

Do not say you have not been warned. Arthur Gall.

14D Pitalpin Court, Dundee.