I’m a walker not a driver, and for the most part I’m quite content to have it that way. During the few experiences I’ve had behind the wheel in the UK (I used drive all the time back in the States) and the several times I’ve been a passenger in this country, it’s been evident to me that there’s more than a bit of edginess causing British drivers to be less than pleasant to deal with. And as a pedestrian, I’ve had my share of near misses and unfriendly encounters with cranky, disrespectful and sometimes frighteningly oblivious motorists.
To chill out angry British roadsters, AXA Car Insurance has created a campaign called “Respect On The Road“ to try and bring some courtesy and respect back to British roads. I’ve been ambling about London for about seven years. So, I really have no idea if there ever really was any real courtesy on these mean streets, but more respectful driving sounds like safer driving – and that certainly sounds like a fine idea to me!
For the campaign, AXA has created a Facebook fanpage as well as a several of thoughtfully produced videos. I got a kick out of watching their ‘Road Rage Kids’ video. Acted by five year kids imitating driving behaviour copied from their parents, the clip goes a long way in demonstrating just how childish drivers can be when insulated from the rest of the world in their cars.
There’s also a series of interviews shot from a London black cab called, aptly enough, Cab Cam.
The situation here isn’t nearly as bad as in a lot of other places I’ve visited – the British roads ain’t got nothing on the traffic nightmares of Lagos, Nigeria; Naples, Italy or any big city in China. Still, there’s much we can (and should do) to ensure our roads are friendly and safer.
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