Write to the editor

It’s always hard making the transition from the relative calm of driving during Ramadan to the onslaught of madness after Eid.

The problem is, as an expat driver, you get used to the civility of it and the simple, yet appreciated, courtesy of people following the rules of the road.

Then, all of a sudden, our neighbours from across the Causeway come back with a bang … and the bang is usually someone they’ve crashed into.

Although my own driving is admittedly not perfect, I’d still like to offer drivers in the kingdom a few helpful hints that may reduce traffic jams and could even prevent accidents.

1. The yellow box: Box junctions are normally used on large, busy junctions such as traffic light-controlled crossroads, T-junctions and even roundabouts. These have criss-cross yellow lines painted on the road.

Advice: Not to enter a box junction unless your exit road is clear and be sure to slow down and stop before the box junction if your exit road is not clear.

Why: If you continue onto the box junction when your road is not clear, you block oncoming traffic, which causes a safety hazard and upsets a bunch motorists who have right of way and results in lots of honking horns.

I promise, if you do wait for your road to clear before moving, you’ll reduce countless minutes from everyone else’s journey and traffic will move smoothly.

2. The left turn lane: Some roads have special lanes for vehicles turning left. At an intersection left-turn lanes are marked on the road with an arrow (I’ll give you a clue which one it is, it’s the one pointing left).

Advice: Make your turn from the marked lane.

Why: Simply put, because that’s the law. I don’t care if you’re in a hurry to get to a coffee shop or if you’re missing your favourite TV show. If you turn left when you are in the straight lane at an intersection, not only are you cutting off drivers with right of way, you are causing a potential hazard to any drivers behind you who wish to go straight.

3. Pavement parking: This is when inconsiderate drivers park on the pavement which pedestrians use to walk on. Often these drivers leave the rear end of their car half in the road.

Advice: Don’t do it.

Why: If cars park on pavements, pedestrians have to walk on roads, which is dangerous and causes a safety hazard. Also, if you do park on the pavement, try and keep the rear of your car off the road because it causes … you guessed it, a safety hazard to other drivers and blocks traffic.

4. Double parking: This means standing or parking a vehicle on the roadway side of a vehicle already stopped, standing or parked at the curb.

Advice: Look for somewhere else to park, this space has already been taken. You wouldn’t just walk into a restaurant and sit on someone’s lap while they’re having dinner, would you?

Why: Double parking often prevents other vehicles from departing and always obstructs a traffic lane to the extent of often making the street impassable for other drivers and causes ... shocker, a safety hazard!

5. Give way sign: A line at a junction with a ‘Stop’ sign and a white line across the road. It should also be noted that you must give way to the left at a roundabout too (even if you can’t see a sign that says so).

Advice: Sounds obvious, but apparently not … it means you stop or ‘give way’ to other drivers. It doesn’t mean speed up and hope you make it through in time.

Why: I’m tired of being in the correct lane at a roundabout, stopping to give way and having some idiot in the car next to me ignoring the rules, charging ahead and cutting off the guy who has right of way.

If you just wait your turn, and make sure you’re in the right lane to start with, roundabouts move smoothly and fluidly. They should never stop moving. If there is traffic on a roundabout, the chances are someone (or lots of people) are in the wrong lane and trying to cut in which causes a bottle-neck and results in … a hazard!

Follow these simple tips and make the road a better place. Be excellent to each other.

Dr Jeremy Fisher,
By email.

The 2nd Siegner Sparkassen Marathon will be held on September 7. For those of you who are interested in registering, the event will take place over September 6 and 7 and registration is open for those interested in doing a full marathon or full marathon relay, half marathon or half marathon relay, 10K, or an ultra marathon (10k, half marathon, full marathon). For more information on registration, the two-day schedule, and prices visit the website on: https://marathon.anulauf-siegen.de/ or the facebook page on: https://www.facebook.com/SiegenerMarathon
For information on bookings and accommodations call +49 271 333 1020 or email tvsw@siegen-wittgenstein.de

Bahrain Road Runners,
By email.

Many of our furry friends in Bahrain need our help. Whether it’s adopting a dog or cat and giving it a forever home or saving a poor injured animal from a horrible fate. There are shelters, such as the BSPCA, that tend to these poor animals and they do a fine job. But they also need our support in making sure every animal is taken care of. We can all do our part by attending the Raise Your Paws Auction to be staged at Upstairs Downstairs in Adliya on September 27.

The brunch, which runs from noon to 4pm, will feature the musical styling of ‘Toddy’ Paul Adams and will include a silent auction in support of the BSPCA.

Tickets to the event are priced BD20 including beverages. All funds raised will go directly to the Animal Welfare Centre to care for the abandoned and abused animals in Bahrain.

To book a table, contact 17713093.

Pet-lover,
By email.