As a salesman for a large American company I get to drive up and down the UK's motorways and B-roads five days a week, seeing my customers and earning a living. I want to share some of the experiences that I have in this time on the road; with 40,000 miles a year under my cam belt, I have a few stories to tell.
Hot topic at the moment is the use of mobile phones, and more specifically the use of them whilst driving with no hands free kit. How many people still do this? In any given day I witness 100+ offenders, yes 100+ road users ignoring the fact that they cannot drive a car safely whilst holding a phone to their ears. Take today (18th March), the driver behind me in his Peugeot 406 is driving, smoking a fag and yapping on his phone. When we have to stop in traffic what does he do? One hand clasping his cigarette and one hand on the phone; how is he steering? Who the hell knows; one can only presume with his knees. What would stop this idiot doing that all day long? Either he has an accident and this may deter him for a bit or he gets pulled by the police and gets fined; both unlikely occurrences.
How about the lorry driver on the A42 (a dual carriageway) that decides that he will chat away on his phone (no seat belt) leaning on his steering wheel, in the outside lane. Can anyone pass him? No. When he finally decides to pull over and let other drivers past, I decide to show him what a caring motorist I am. I beep my horn and point to a hands free kit that is fitted in my car (all paid for by the company so I have no excuse), and what response do I get, the victory Vs. Did I expect any more? Nope, not really.
The government has taken the stance that the use of mobile phones whilst driving is deemed illegal, but frankly no one seems to care. Unless the police are prepared to sit at busy junctions and watch all the cars, it is laughable to think that people will stop doing it. A tenner buys a hands free kit that will stick on your ear and make you legal, and above all a safer driver. Critics say that we should ban mobile phone use altogether whilst driving and I have some sympathy with this argument. Can I say that I have 100% concentration whilst on the phone? No way, but convenience and necessity means that I am able to take a call on the move and do business and will continue to do so as long as I am paid to and it is legal.
The question many of you will have is "what qualifications do I have to pass comment on these people?" Well frankly none. Am I a good driver? Well I am OK, but I still cut people up, make wrong turns, and don't use indicators sometimes: all of the things that really do upset people. The difference is that in 90% of those cases I don't do them deliberately and always (if possible) apologise afterwards with a hand gesture (no, not that one!).
What happens when you are joining the M6 at junction 10, a nightmare at the best of times, and a lorry driver decides that they want to undertake you on the slip road? When you do join the motorway and you are sitting there waiting to move, this lorry driver cannot get into the lane you occupy and you have nowhere to go. What is his course of action? Spit on your car! Yes, the lorry driver wound down his window and spat on the window of my car. I phoned his company to complain and am still waiting for an answer as to why he did this. I shall not hold my breath. Is there any need for this sort of behaviour?
Your Travelling Salesman - 18 Mar 2004
