It makes sense to slow down

Do you remember your driving test?

Having to drive within the stated speed limit - everywhere, not just past cameras - stopping behind white lines, not overtaking at the brow of a hill or on a bend, signalling, looking in your driving mirror before you move out - all that stuff that you most probably don't do now. Right?

And why should you? Every other motorist drives any way he or she likes - few stick to the speed limit, even fewer use their indicators before turning or moving into another lane. Practically everybody overtakes as and when they see a gap.

Now though, a small group of determined motorists are driving as if they are permanently being tested. I am one. We keep to the limits on the signs, even though every vehicle flies past us. We signal, look in our mirrors, do all that, and try to be considerate to other road users.

Does it pay off - you bet! My own journeys along the highways and byways of Al Ain and elsewhere have become less stressful, more interesting and challenging, and because of that, much more enjoyable.

Hurtling along without a thought for other road users takes its toll on your nerves - your journeys aren't significantly shorter either, although your heart rate and your blood pressure may well be much higher.

My question to those who still drive like mad men is this: is the minute or two you save by driving too fast enough to compensate you for living a shorter, less enjoyable life? Is it? I don't think so. Do you really have to demonstrate your impatience to everyone by honking your horn in non-threatening situations, just because you want to be first? Again, the answer should be in the negative.

One more point of view might just persuade you to slow down - if you need one after reading the shocking statistics issued by the police every month - important people don't have to rush!

Don't imagine anybody's impressed by your need to drive too fast and too recklessly. Whenever I see someone fly past me on the road like that, I remind myself to be nice to them next time we meet, because they are not long for this life! Slow down! You know it makes sense!

The writer is an Al Ain-based educator and Gulf News reader