Polite to a fault...

Yet another observation about driving here. The British don't believe in stop signs. I suspect it's just not in them to be that forceful or demanding. In a nation where policemen don't wear guns, to insist that someone must stop just seems a bit, well, cheeky I suppose.

Instead, they have signs that say "give way" from time to time. It's rather more of a helpful suggestion than an order.

So how do they use these "give way" signs? They use them where we might have enormous, overhead flashing red lights hanging above fluorescent orange signs marked "WARNING - CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP!"

So you're winding about the countryside, dodging pheasants, horseback riders, abandoned vehicles and oncoming motorists when you spy a "give way" sign up ahead. What that means is: "STOP IMMEDIATELY OR PREPARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER IN A FIERY CONFLAGRATION!"

Suddenly you find yourself about to cross a busy and largely hidden highway while vehicles shuttle past at 60 or 70 miles per hour; no stop sign, no red light and no warning other than the small sign about 50 yards back hinting that one might at least consider the option of giving way.

Give way indeed!

I suppose for those poor inattentive souls who miss the sign and blunder blindly into the maelstrom ahead there is little pity as folks survey the resulting carnage. "Well it's not like the bloke wasn't properly warned. After all, the sign did suggest he give way."


Lovely!