i have a horn and i'm not afraid to use it

Admittedly it's only a wee horn on my scooter. Which is so - well pathetic that it's cute.

Let's get things out in the open. I have only held my full driving licence for just over two years. And I only passed my CBT (for provisional licence for scooters and motorbikes) in March. And yet I feel that - and this is going to sound smug - that I am perhaps a better - no that is too cocky let's make it conscious - driver than a lot of others aorund here.

I have never ever once in my whole driving career treated a scooter or a motorbike driver the way people treat me on Gerdie (my scooter in case you couldn't crack that). People pull out in front of me, overtake me on roundabouts, undertake me on roundabouts and just generally act as if I'm a menace to the roads. And not them in their pointless gas-guzzling 4x4's, obnoxiously dirty white vans, or any car really.

Tonight was a classic. Having met boy in town for dinner straight from work, I persuaded him to drive behind me until we got to the 40mph stretch, as Gerdie's top speed is till just 30mph. So off he went when we got there. The car behind him alas never found a stretch to overtake me as there were cars constantly.

Now I recognise this would be annoying, and I know I too get annoyed when people in front are driving below the speed limit. And when I get my confidence up, I fully intend to get her engine destricted (or whatever the word is) so we can go up to 45mph - but let's not be hasty about it, 30mph works fine for me right now.

But I would never, NEVER, EVER try to undertake someone coming off a roundabout. Especially if they were indicating their intention to leave the roundabout. Yet Mrs Yaris apparently decided this is a fine manoeuvre to make. Dumbass.

I would also never, EVER go to OVERTAKE someone who is turning right. Cause that's just plain stupid. But guess what Mrs Yaris tried next?

And then, as I turned into the road and tried to position myself again, she decided to overtake me - with a car coming in the opposite direction - so I was forced to nearly ride on the curb. On a scooter.

Why? Are people jealous of my more efficient and cheaper-to-run vehicle? Do my indicators not work?

I feel my rage is getting out of control. I was so tempted to follow Mrs Yaris home and rip into her. At the end of the day, if I have an accident on my scooter, it will be me who comes off worse for it. And I don't doubt my driving skills - I pay attention to my surroundings, always indicate, always check my blind spots before moving.

Why do people not realise this? I really think everyone should be made to ride a scooter or motorbike, even if just for a day, to see what it's like, feel how vulnerable you are. And increase your awareness - I actually feel my driving overall has improved since I got Gerdie.

I'll happily confess that bad driving is a particular bug bear of mine (case in point - see "luxury cars" a few months ago). And I'm sure there will be many more rants to come spurred by ignorance and just plain impatience. Grr!

Apologies for month-long absence. Partially due to being over-worked, partially from a three-week long virus which drained me physically. Missed out on blogging on the World Cup, aka Cheaters Championship, and a rant earlier this week about the con that Big Brother has become this year. I'm back now, so keep checking for updates. (Buddy, I promise I'll do better for you since I suck at phone calls!)