Are Brummies the UK's worst drivers?
One of my proudest moments in recent years was when a friend told me that I'd earned my spurs and could now count myself as an honorary Brummie. So when the ubiquitous surveys cite the natives of this great city as the least friendly / thickest / ugliest / laziest (delete as applicable) in the UK, my blood boils as much as the next man or woman.
However, there is one title that I would never contest and yet I've never heard mentioned in polite society. So, taking my life my hands, here goes: Brummies are quite possibly the worst drivers I've ever encountered.
There's a certain irony, given this region was once the centre of the UK car manufacturing industry, but I have driven in most parts of Great Britain and, hand on heart, have never had so many near misses anywhere else.
How many more emergency stops will I have to perform at roundabouts as drivers ignore the basics of the Highway Code? How many more times will I be cut up on the inside lane of the Queensway? How many more times will people ignore one way signs in car parks, only to screech to a halt, millimetres from my bumper?
Or my very favourite, as experienced today in IKEA's car park: two car doors were opened onto my car's side, leaving dents which have broken the paint work, with the perpetrators taking the time to rub the marks to see if they had in fact damaged my car, but not thinking to come clean and leave their insurance details. Thank you, whoever you are.
I know that I am not alone in experiencing these problems so come on Birmingham: let's show the rest of this country that as well as being highly-intelligent, articulate, hard-working and good looking, we're also the UK's most courteous drivers.
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Ms Gee,
The lack of basic driving skills reflects the lack of common courtesy that has beset our society since 1983. 'Tis a pity that the randomised acts of human kindliness that Roshan Doug (Mr) is writing about on the News Blog do not stretch out a hand of friendship to the motorists of this world.
I blame the driving instructors. When I learned to drive my instructor put the fear of all that's holy into me and I'm always fearful he'll reappear if I make an elementary mistake. As a result I'm the best driver of my Austin Maxi that has ever sat behind the wheel, of that I can be sure.
Happy motoring!
Derek (Mr) Belm.
Sorry, Sarah, but, as in so many things, Brum is still the Second City. London driving needs a heedless and crazy mindset. I have the dents and scratches to prove it, front, back and sides - and the car's pretty rough, too.
There are too many cars on the roads in Birmingham making it unpleasant and dangerous. Have you considered alternatives such as public transport or cycling?
I agree with Sid. I wouldn't dream of driving in London.
I use public transport regularly within Birmingham (bus as no train available from Kings Heath - yet) and use the train wherever possible when travelling outside of the city, but I can't ride a bike.
But that's a story for another day and antoher blog...