Road Safety & Public Transport
I was driving down the main A4074 road out of Caversham yesterday, when I found myself in a slow moving traffic queue. This section of the A4074 has a lot of bends, so it is all 'no-overtaking' and has a speed limit of 50mph. The traffic queue yesterday was stacking behind a small red car driving at 40mph on the straight, slowing down round the corners. So there actually was some overtaking, not very safely.
Unfortunately, the small red car pulled off onto the same side-road I was going down. So I found myself going even slower, and watching in horror as a third car zoomed past both of us straight at a blind corner. Luckily nothing came the other way, but the red car pulled in shortly afterward to let me past. As I went past I looked at the driver - a little old lady who looked really uncomfortable behind her wheel.
Four hours later I was wearily heading back from my job (thanks, Norton!), drove down the A4074 and then found myself behind - you guessed it - a little red car going at 40mph or slower. Heigh-ho. I did, briefly, wonder why she was driving when she looked so uncomfortable. Not for long though - the answer is obvious.
I know a lady who has been banned from driving for health reasons. Fortunately she is the sort of person who is always helping people, so there are plenty only too happy to provide lifts. Nevertheless, it makes life very difficult for her. Public transport more than a couple of miles outside the town centre is minimal, so travelling becomes really hard. There are said to be plenty of people driving whose health really isn't up to it; I can see why.
Facilities in villages are being closed; public transport through such villages is in decline; and thousands of people are killed on English roads each year. I think these are related.