A merging nightmare

Well, I've been worried about it for years and, last night, it finally happened.

On my way home from work, I have to merge lanes in a tricky spot - at the top of a steep hill and sharp bend. Visibility is low! Normally, the merging is pretty simple as most people seem to do the right thing and watch out for traffic.

However, at least once a week, I see someone who decides they don't just want to merge into the nearest lane, but who wishes to dart across both oncoming lanes and then into a nearby right turning lane. In peak hour, this manouevre is close to impossible. So, the merging car decides to stop and wait till both lanes are clear. Yes, they stop in a merging lane at the top of a steep hill and sharp bend. Low visibility. Cars everywhere.

On my way home from work last night, I rounded the bend to find a car stopped in the merging lane. So, I stopped and hoped for the best. Not this time. The two cars behind me didn't react so quickly and we had our own mini-domino fest. Crunch!

While the three of us limped to the side of the road, swapped names and addresses, called police and tow trucks, gave accident statements, and blew into breathalysers, our stopped motorist had found that elusive gap and taken off home. He/she was most probably clueless to the damage caused by his/her decision.

The three of us are now going to spend the next few weeks filling out insurance forms, arranging for repairs and organising alternative transport.

But no such inconveniences for our (non) merging friend. No doubt, this motorist will continue to stop in that merging lane when traffic is heavy. Why change a bad habit just for the safety of others? Their life hasn't been disrupted.

But ours has. Imagine if that driver had merged correctly and had been prepared to drive a few hundred yards up the road to the next right turn lane. It would have taken a few extra minutes and everyone would have made it home safe and sound.

I'm trying not to sound cranky. I know how lucky the three of us were to be standing by the roadside uninjured. Ironically, my car doesn't even look as though it's been in an accident - you have to lie on the ground and look underneath to see how bent it is! I'm very grateful that this was essentially a minor accident.

But really, couldn't people take a little more care on the roads? Couldn't they think a little more about the safety of others? Sometimes we forget about the duty of care we owe to others - and to our own loved ones. Next time, the end result might not be quite so positive.