TALK TO any driver about the rules of the road nowadays, and along with the straight answers, you’re bound to get a ‘what rule are we talking about?’ kind of comment from a lot of them. Oftentimes, I particularly like to think it’s close to anarchy out there sometimes. From out of the gates, it’s wild open country. In worst cases, the bitterness one feels at how drivers behave leaves one to actually believe the term ‘road courtesy’ is one fat oxymoron, or a contradiction in terms.
Many a time, I would catch my son (and myself included) muttering loudly while a white SUV cuts us off, even if we were already mid-way in our left or right turn. A closet conspiracy theorist that he is, he always thinks it’s white SUVs, always.
Truth is, the plot thickens because it’s actually vehicles of all shapes, both public and private, that qualify in the roles of road thugs. Here, let us not fail to include those pesky single motorcycles that gather in droves, to that list.
These two-wheelers’ most disturbing maneuver thus far is weaving through the line of vehicles stuck in traffic, as though they were the only ones with the divine right to be at their destination on time. If by chance (which is twice already in our case), they nick your side mirror, they just politely wave and unceremoniously speed from sight like that were a minor thing. In some cases, the offending rider pleads his case.
We’re not about done with these incidences of discourtesies, if one agrees to call them that. Those we’ve mentioned so far are perhaps not at the same boss level as that of those by public utility vehicles.
From three-wheeled to buses, it’s capital E for entitlement. Never mind the old argument that these are working-class heroes and should thus be treated a little differently and with respect. In the case of tricycles, it is glaring to note that whenever there’s a checkpoint up ahead, there’s a long line of them by the side of the road leading to it waiting for the authorities to leave.
Obviously, these tricycles are either lacking registration papers or licenses. Meanwhile, Jeepneys, on the other hand, park and queue wherever they deem fit, completely disregarding road signs. They overtake and overspeed from one stop to another, competing with other jeepneys, often disregarding the rights of pedestrians in lanes intended for them.
Lastly, the boss animal buses play elephant bullies while they inch slowly in your lane, using their size and girth. With that, we’re categorically done talking about road rules and the drivers and their machines that are supposed to be under them.
Yet, it’s never fair if we omit the riding public in this discourse.
END OF PART ONE
