Yes, you. The middle-aged woman in the elderly silver VW Golf. I was behind you yesterday afternoon on Fenwick Road. Fortunately, I was in a different lane, so you didn't get to tail-gate me, as you did the guy in the Kia and then the two women in the Corsa.
You were obviously in a hurry.
Maybe you're a stranger in these here parts. You may not know that before we got the lights on the stretch of road between the Eastwood roundabout and Burnfield Road, there were several horrific accidents, two of which resulted in young people being killed. Or maybe you're local. In that case, you must know how dangerous Fenwick Road can be. And you must know when the schools come out. Or were you late for picking up the kids or the grand kids?
In that golden half hour when the schools are coming out, I'm extra vigilant. I'm not too bothered about the cars this woman was tail-gating. Adults can look after themselves. But I saw her twice roar along the road and shudder to a halt at pedestrian crossings - one of them with a crossing patrol person on duty. On both occasions, the kids and mothers or grannies (who had right of way, since the green man was lit up), started to cross and then, alarmed, drew back onto the pavement.
So let me ask: what's wrong with this woman that she thinks it's okay to frighten wee kids and their escorts and make them step back from the edge of the pavement?
Where I live, I know every day there will be two sets of things to look out for: big groups of St Ninian's pupils walking up or down the hill from Eastwood Park, usually deep in conversation, not always aware there are cars around. And lots of cars heading over the brow of the hill to drop off or pick kids up from OLM primary school.
Anyone who thinks they can charge through this kind of traffic is off their head.
There's been a lot of talk about introducing a 20mph limit in city streets. I'm for it. I'm not sure the woman in the silver Golf will be so happy.
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