Is it just me or has the start of the tourist season brought the usual influx of generally unsmiling, unwaving, non-stopping, variously dithering or aggressive drivers to our narrow crumbling and endlessly dug-up single-track roads? Why can't folk use the laybyes to let following cars pass, why don't so many of them wave when you've stopped in a layby to let them come on, why do some go at 20mph while others refuse to slow down when approaching at a narrow section of the road? Does anyone else share my liking for the quieter more courteous winter roads? And, as for the too many buses coming here, shouldn't a certain local businessman, the target of such buses, be rewarding us - with an annual free thanksgiving party at least!! - for the multiple near-misses and bus-adventures that we all have to endure and also should he not be paying an extra contribution to the local authority for road repair and maintenance?
I agree, Spidey. I had my wing mirror knocked off last week by some eejit who just kept belting along at a narrow bit. Look what they did to the T&T pump as well. Bring on the mega-Taylor annual party! And to all tourists - let folks overtake at passing places, drive carefully and with a wave and smile!!
There were no Tourists when the local drivers demolished the Petrol Pump
Moan if you will but arenot these guys the reason local folk can make a living and maybe just maybe they deserve a bit of courtesy from us.
Anyway if you Know they are so crap park carefully and give them a wide berth
I don't think it was a tourist who nearly knocked me off the road with his reckless driving the other day - he was driving a wide pick-up, came off a wide bit onto a single bit towards me and didn't slow down, I reckon he'd had one over the eight.
Don't make me mad. I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.
1) A 'foreign' driver. I do not understand the concept of oncoming traffic on the same bit of road as me, and the disastrous effects it can have if I think it's not my problem. I always meet an oncoming car half way between passing places, and I pretend my car has no Reverse gear.
2) A crofting type. I drive my car at a constant 20mph with head permanently crooked perpendicular to the line of travel, looking over hedges and dykes into the fields to see how so and so's ewes are doing. I normally think I am driving a Fergie in the fields which is why I do not notice when I go up on the verge or into the ditch. My Fergie has a top speed of 20mph and I saw a TV advert that said 'Twenty's plenty'so I don't understand what everyone wants to rush about for. Better late in this life, than early in the next I say
3) I am the one who knows every inch of the road, and can, on a single track road, without slowing from 70mph, kiss the grass on the left with one set of wheels and flash past another local approaching with similar speed from the opposite direction. I've got plenty time to give a friendly wave with one hand, and text my mates with the other (when I can get a signal) as we flash by....... and without blinking. I love scaring the sh?ts out of foreigners with the same high speed approach.
4) I am a bus driver I will always meet you at the narrowest bend or bridge and force you to inch past, balanced precariously over the edge of the ditch whilst tourists peer down on your bald patch from the comfort of my road hogging coach. If you are behind me, I will not notice you as I am concentrating on wildlife and subjects of interest to add in to my commentary. When you are behind me you are not a subject of interest.
5) I am an auburn haired young motorcyclist and rules of the road do not apply to me. When I die I'm going to heaven cos I've done my time in Hell already.
6) I am a local who has mellowed so much to the way of island life that I always unselfishly anticipate the oncoming traffic, make way to all-comers and obediently pull into the nearest lay-by. I always make a special effort towave and mouth a silent greeting to the occupants of the oncoming car. If someone then passes without a wave or thank you, I always calmly and politely mutter 'F--- you, basta-d'! I'll get you on the way back!''
7) I am a very careful driver and I care about my safety and my car. I work for Argyll & Bute Council and I am responsible for maintaining the roads in the area so, personally, I make sure I never drive on Seil's roads because I've heard they are sh?t
Last edited by Pentlandpirate on Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
yes PP you have got them all right.....missed one out though,
The elderly gentleman with the exessivly powerful sports car. Always appears in front of heavily laden vehicles while driving up steep hills......forgets to change out of fifth gear only to do so when halfway up steep hill. slowing momentarily to 10mph then speeding off, leaving irate van/lorry driver to change down to first and only just nurse the vehicle to the top without burning out clutch or stalling.
You missed the "hat & glasses" group, PP. I hate to be judgemental but my father pointed it out to me many years ago and since then I have never been disppointed at the antics of such drivers when following them. Be warned - hang back further than usual. Apart from their attire they tend to be very slow, completely unpredictable and rarely indicate but if they do this does not show their true intention and can turn in the opposite direction. They can also stop dead for no apparent reason.
You're dead right, Mini, there's a whole subclass of driver out there wearing bunnets inside the car (why - are they bald? Is their roof leaking? Is the heater not working? Is it the equivalent of a rural crash helmet?!) - slow, unaware and unpredictable. Scary!
Yes PP and another to add to your list - the touroid that approaches a lay by as you are approaching from the other direction with plenty of time for both of you to pass safely in it without either party stopping.
But NO
Touroid stops before the lay by forcing you to stop in it
While they then crawl passed you grinning inanely and waving as if they've done you a massive favour but have kept you back from your urgent appointment at the bookies
I had a Schottische last night but I'm much better now thank you!
Is it just me or has the start of the tourist season brought the usual influx of generally unsmiling, unwaving, non-stopping, variously dithering or aggressive drivers to our narrow crumbling and endlessly dug-up single-track roads? Why can't folk use the laybyes to let following cars pass, why don't so many of them wave when you've stopped in a layby to let them come on, why do some go at 20mph while others refuse to slow down when approaching at a narrow section of the road? Does anyone else share my liking for the quieter more courteous winter roads? And, as for the too many buses coming here, shouldn't a certain local businessman, the target of such buses, be rewarding us - with an annual free thanksgiving party at least!! - for the multiple near-misses and bus-adventures that we all have to endure and also should he not be paying an extra contribution to the local authority for road repair and maintenance? 
