Priceless act of courtesy

Dec 29 2008 Jackie Violet

Priceless act of courtesy

THE New Year is a time to look back on 2008 and tick off what you've achieved. It is also a time to make amends.

'Out with the old and in with the new,' as the saying goes.

This is normally sound advice except for one small fact. At the moment we are entering the gloomiest year since the early 1970s.

Jobs are being lost in the thousands, high street names are closing their doors - is anyone exempt from this recession?

The knock-on effect will affect everyone and the motoring trade is taking its fair share of the hammering.

Who would ever have thought that the giant manufacturers would be pleading to their governments for financial help?

Here in the UK, car sales are down as no one has any spare cash and even if they did, they cannot sell their old car as that market has had all life punched out of it.

Nevertheless there are a few things motorists can do to help each other in 2009 that will guarantee to bring out smiles all round and waves of gratitude. And the best news of all it does not cost a penny.

What is this miracle? Quite simply, courtesy to other drivers.

At a roundabout for instance, if you are intending to exit, give a left hand signal for any waiting car wanting to enter.

If you are in a queue, do not block either a junction or someone's drive. There is nothing more frustrating and it is such a selfish act.

And how about obeying rules for yellow box junctions - only enter if your exit is clear unless you are turning right.

More importantly, if someone does show you a good turn the least you can do is to smile and give a cheery acknowledgment of this good deed.

You have no idea how good that makes the courteous driver feel and that results in everyone being happy.

So as we toast the New Year we may feel a pang of trepidation but make courtesy to other drivers one resolution you will keep. It really is a priceless gesture.