THE RULES OF THE ROAD
I FIND it interesting to compare the rules for driving licences in different parts of the world.
In South Africa we have to renew our licences every five years and when we apply for a renewal have to prove that we can still see. Probably a wise requirement, I think. In spite of this we still have an alarming number of road accidents every year.
I was talking to English friends recently and they said the requirements for a driving licence were very strict, but once they had been met there was no difficulty keeping the licence valid, year after year.
All they needed to renew their driving licences after the age of
70 was to sign a form declaring that they were still fit to drive. No medical test is necessary. If you say you’re fit they accept it. Obviously British drivers are an honest lot.
In spite of this, an English motorcycling friend told me he had been bumped off his bike by a motorist who was later revealed to be legally blind.
Obviously he had filled in the form declaring he was fit to drive, even though he was blind. A friend who passed her driving test in France back in 1970 still has it and recently found that it never needed to be renewed.
Once you’re a licensed French driver you’re licensed for life, apparently. She can drive legally in France as long as she is fit enough to open the driver’s door and slide into the seat behind the steering wheel. But French roads are very safe.
I think the difference in driving in the various countries is not dependent on the strictness of licensing rules.
It all comes down to national characteristics. I am always impressed by the courtesy of British drivers.
They have millions of kilometres of narrow lanes where it’s difficult for two cars to pass each other. When two cars approach each other in a lane, one will calmly reverse until it gets to a wider place, then they’ll pass, wave to each other and continue on their way. They’re polite people.
Why are our South African roads are such death traps in comparison with the British road system? I have an idea it all goes back to a lack of respect for our fellow citizens. It’s no coincidence that the government plans to introduce laws against hate speech.
We are too quick to hate, to see ourselves as victims and sort others into categories. We say all taxi drivers are a menace, cyclists are stupid, bikers are irresponsible and so on. We are an angry people, and angry people are dangerous. I think we need to calm down, smile more and respect each other more.
Last Laugh
A traffic cop waved a driver to the swide of the road and said: “Sir, do you know you were exceeding the speed limit?”
“No I wasn’t,” shouted the driver.
“According to the camera you were, sir.”
“I damn well wasn’t. I was doing 40km/h.”
Just then the woman in the passenger seat leaned across and said: “Please don’t argue with my husband, officer. He gets very violent after he’s been drinking.”