I'm not sure if the reason for my heightened powers of observation is due to a sharpening of my senses or an increase in traffic. Whatever it may be, my glance often falls on words printed on the back of pick-ups and mini buses, the seeming scourge of the roads.

The message invites me to pass judgment on the driving skills of the person behind the wheel and goes on to include a number to call in case I am not happy with the motoring abilities of the man in question.

As I sit stuck in traffic with all the time in the world to ponder the advisability of making such a call, I am struck by the thought of the hapless individual in question who probably has no idea of the lethal message written in bold letters for all to see and comment on.

Has he been given appropriate warning of the import of the words being read by a host of commuters? Torn between sympathy and an urge to call the number, I wait for a while, telling myself that maybe I should give in to the impulse to test for myself if that message is just lip-service or sincerely meant.

That's when my imagination goes into overdrive and I see these mental images of the unsuspecting man being pulled up by his boss and possibly being sacked, all on the strength of a phone call.

Deaf ears

A day later I read a letter to the editor from a man who did what I had only been contemplating. He recounts the bitter experience of his complaint falling on deaf ears. That's when I thank my lucky stars that I didn't give in to that impulse.

But further thought on the subject makes me wonder why drivers of certain vehicles get typecast. Then I recall statistics of traffic accidents published from time to time and the causes attributed to the same. The main culprits are those who have scant regard for traffic rules. These will insist on hogging the fast lane or weaving in and out of lanes with little regard for their own safety or that of others.

Cause and effect

Sometimes I come to the conclusion that these maniacs must have had a deprived childhood. Unlike most little boys, maybe they never had toy cars to play with and smash together in a simulation of a horrific pile-up.

So, with no avenues for letting off all that energy, it remained pent-up until now. And the effects of the pressure valve release are felt by other road-users.

Actually the idea of warning labels is a pretty good one. Maybe this can be used in other instances, not just for those behind the wheel. How about the wilful child who throws a tantrum each time his demands are not met immediately? Supposing he had a tag which informed others of this propensity of his, wouldn't it help others to give him a wide berth? Only those responsible for his birth wouldn't be able to avail themselves of this option.

Similarly, the hypochondriac could wear a sign proclaiming his proclivity for bursting into monologue on his imaginary illnesses each time someone is tempted to ask the innocuous question "How are you?"

How about a sign alerting the unwary to the whinger? This advance notice would help one avoid having to hear about the raw deal life has dealt this unfortunate person who enjoys portraying himself as hard done by, someone whom fate has dealt blow after blow which he has survived through sheer fortitude.

In fact I think a business venture dealing in such signage would be a good idea. Anyone interested? I'll think of the labels and you can tag along.