Sean Moore
2
July 13:32
A little faster...
Driving at 40mph for the first time was quite intimidating. I'm well used to the road, being as it's on the route to town: a dual carriageway that's been reduced to two single lanes most of the way along in a badly-designed safety scheme. It strikes fear into the heart of cyclists who are forced to drive in the middle of the road – most wisely opt for the pavement instead.Actually driving down it, with traffic in front and behind, was something else. Suddenly I seemed to be going very fast, and I found fourth gear without breaking anything. I wasn't going that fast, of course – it's true that learner drivers do go much slower than everyone else.
More intimidating still was venturing out on to a busy A-road, full of lorries, which had been built to funnel traffic away from the previous dual carriageway. It too is a dual, and the speed limit is 70mph. It would be an exaggeration to say I was bricking it when my instructor sprung the surprise on me – "we're going to do something fun today" – but I was rather nervous. This is, after all, a road home to several accident black spots and the subject of a long safety campaign for improvements. Fun indeed. I consoled myself with the thought that the man must value his life, so I therefore must be ready for it.
In the event, it was fun. I didn't die, if that isn't clear already, and I didn't cause any accidents or injuries. In fact, I spent much of the time on there overtaking people. Most drivers, it transpires, think they can only go at 60mph. Being overtaken by a learner with a big white Toblerone on top of his car can't be the biggest boost to one's ego, but who cares...
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