In 14 years of car ownership there has been one – just one – of those years when my heap of metal has actually passed an MOT.
I was musing on this sorry fact – and fretting about the impending hammer blow to my bank balance – when, for the second time in a week, I was forced into an emergency stop.
The first culprit was a chatty youngster, too busy talking to her mate to bother with anything so mundane as a give way sign.
On a busy Friday evening in rush hour traffic it had something of a heart-stopping effect on both of us.
After our near miss, she was as apologetic as she was shocked. At least my brakes seem to be in good working order.
The second culprit was a bit sleeker and not nearly so contrite. A sporty black Porsche.
Clearly a personalised registration plate renders formalities such as indicating and looking over your shoulder before you pull out into moving traffic quite unnecessary.
I was driving in a steady stream of morning traffic in the South Side of the city.
This is an area where the primary section of one of Glasgow's most prestigious private schools sits in the shadow of giant fast food restaurant. Oddly enough, said school is nestled amidst some of the poorest streets in the city.
As I meandered down the street, doing my best to avoid any loitering school kids, the man in the sporty Porsche pulled out, suddenly.
Without so much as a backward glance, let alone a working indicator, he pulled out in front of me from his parking spot.
I slammed on the brakes. He did not notice.
I shook my head at the driver who almost banjoed me on to the opposite side of the road.
Still, he didn't seem to notice as he raced away from me at a rate of knots, ignorant to the carnage he might have left in his wake.
Clearly, such basics as good manners become unnecessary once you drive a car that costs more than some folks' houses do.
There was, of course, more than a hint of envy in my ire as I snatched a glimpse at not just a fast car but at a lifestyle that seems like a long way from my own.
I don't have any great feelings for cars, but it would be nice, even once, to drive one you could count on to pass its MOT.
We moderate all comments on Evening Times on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
ALISON MCCONNELL: Takes aim at motoring
ALISON MCCONNELL: Takes aim at motoring
The annual fail is looming.
In 14 years of car ownership there has been one – just one – of those years when my heap of metal has actually passed an MOT.
I was musing on this sorry fact – and fretting about the impending hammer blow to my bank balance – when, for the second time in a week, I was forced into an emergency stop.
The first culprit was a chatty youngster, too busy talking to her mate to bother with anything so mundane as a give way sign.
On a busy Friday evening in rush hour traffic it had something of a heart-stopping effect on both of us.
After our near miss, she was as apologetic as she was shocked. At least my brakes seem to be in good working order.
The second culprit was a bit sleeker and not nearly so contrite. A sporty black Porsche.
Clearly a personalised registration plate renders formalities such as indicating and looking over your shoulder before you pull out into moving traffic quite unnecessary.
I was driving in a steady stream of morning traffic in the South Side of the city.
This is an area where the primary section of one of Glasgow's most prestigious private schools sits in the shadow of giant fast food restaurant. Oddly enough, said school is nestled amidst some of the poorest streets in the city.
As I meandered down the street, doing my best to avoid any loitering school kids, the man in the sporty Porsche pulled out, suddenly.
Without so much as a backward glance, let alone a working indicator, he pulled out in front of me from his parking spot.
I slammed on the brakes. He did not notice.
I shook my head at the driver who almost banjoed me on to the opposite side of the road.
Still, he didn't seem to notice as he raced away from me at a rate of knots, ignorant to the carnage he might have left in his wake.
Clearly, such basics as good manners become unnecessary once you drive a car that costs more than some folks' houses do.
There was, of course, more than a hint of envy in my ire as I snatched a glimpse at not just a fast car but at a lifestyle that seems like a long way from my own.
I don't have any great feelings for cars, but it would be nice, even once, to drive one you could count on to pass its MOT.
Commenting & Moderation
We moderate all comments on Evening Times on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
Don't show me this again.
Have you got a story?
Contact the news desk on 0141 302 6520
or email news@eveningtimes.co.uk
Most read Most commented
LOCAL HEROES
Nominate your Community Champion today
Recommended Reading