💡 Are You BLIND? The Dangerous Driving Epidemic on the School Run

I need to get something off my chest, and I know I'm not the only parent feeling this rage. Every day, when I drive my kids between Tredegar and Ebbw Vale from Ebbw Fawr Comprehensive to Deighton Primary I witness some of the most baffling and frankly dangerous driving habits imaginable.

We are talking about driving in Gwent, in conditions that demand absolute focus and visibility, yet some people seem determined to risk their own lives and the lives of others.

The Great Darkness Conspiracy

It’s currently winter. That means thick fog, heavy rain, and dark mornings or rapidly darkening afternoons. So why, in the name of road safety, are people driving around with NO LIGHTS ON?

It is simply astounding. We are talking about conditions where a car is almost invisible, yet these drivers cruise along with zero regard for their surroundings. It is beyond negligence; it is willfully ignorant. Your car has headlights and sidelights for a reason: to see and be seen.

Indicators Are Not Optional Extras!

And don’t even get me started on indicating! We are navigating busy junctions and roundabouts, often during peak school traffic, and basic common sense goes out the window. Failing to signal is not just rude; it’s a recipe for a serious accident.

  • Are people forgetting they have indicators?

  • Are they simply too lazy to flick a lever?

This isn't a minor courtesy; this is fundamental road safety. My children are in the car for heaven's sake!

Where Are the Authorities?

My question to the powers that be, and especially the police in our area, is: Where are you?

It makes you wonder where these drivers are getting their licences from. Is there absolutely no accountability?

I strongly believe we need to see significant changes to crack down on this reckless behaviour:

  1. Mandatory Refresher Courses: If you can't manage basic tasks like using lights or indicators, you should be forced back into training.

  2. Increased Fines and Points: The current deterrents are clearly not working. Hit people where it hurts their wallet and their license.

Some people will argue against stricter rules, but I challenge those critics: wait until an idiot driving without lights or a phone kills or seriously injures your loved one. You might just change your tune then.

And A Final Word on Phones...

If you are one of those selfish individuals who thinks your text message or phone call is more important than the lives around you, and you use your phone while driving, you deserve everything you get. Full stop. It is inexcusable.

Let's all wake up, turn on our lights, and drive responsibly. We are sharing the road, and the safety of our kids depends on it.



Location: South Wales, Mountain Ash CF45 4DA, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Mountain Air, Tredegar – A Pub Worth Defending

Image
Let’s talk about The Mountain Air in Tredegar. If you know, you know. And if you don’t know – well, let me paint you a picture, because this isn’t just a pub or a restaurant to me, it’s an experience. A damn good one. From the moment you walk through the doors, there’s something about the place that just feels right . It’s got that perfect blend of cosy and welcoming – you’re greeted with smiles, warm lighting, and the scent of something absolutely mouthwatering drifting out of the kitchen. I’ve been to plenty of pubs in South Wales and beyond, but I keep coming back to The Mountain Air for one simple reason: it’s the best. Hands down. The atmosphere ? Spot on. It’s buzzing without being too loud, chilled without being dead, and friendly without feeling forced. You can go in on your own and feel at ease, or go in with a group and feel right at home. The staff ? Absolutely fantastic. Every single time we’ve visited – and trust me, it’s not just once or twice – we’ve been looked aft...
Read more

Dragged Up, Not Brought Up: A Parent’s Reflection on the State of Parenting Today

Parenting has never been easy. But lately, I’ve started to wonder: have some people just given up entirely? There’s a difference between bringing children up and letting them grow up wild, and right now, it feels like too many kids are being dragged up without discipline, accountability, or even a hint of respect for others. It’s not about being perfect. We all struggle, we all get it wrong sometimes. But when you refuse to even try to do the right thing - when you defend your child’s worst behaviour instead of confronting it - that’s when I worry. Recently, my own son, who has already been through far more than any child should due to early childhood trauma, was attacked. Not by some nameless group of troublemakers - though that would have been bad enough - but by a group of girls. One of them, heartbreakingly, was my own daughter. There’s no hiding from that. No sugarcoating it. As parents, my partner and I have dealt with it. Heavily. Because we will not tolerate bad behaviour,...
Read more

Brother from Another Mother: My Mate Phil

Image
Some people come into your life by pure chance, and some stay in it by pure loyalty. That’s exactly how I’d sum up my mate Phil. We first crossed paths back in 2014 on the Renault Owners Club Facebook page. I had a Megane at the time, and Phil was the proud owner of a Scenic. Just two blokes chatting about their cars online - nothing unusual, really. But somehow, that random conversation turned into a genuine, lifelong friendship. From day one, we just clicked. No drama, no egos, just an instant mutual respect and shared sense of humour. What started as a few casual posts and comments quickly evolved into proper chats, and before I knew it, Phil had become one of the most important people in my life. In the years that followed, we’ve been through a lot - separately and together. Life hasn’t always been easy, but Phil has always been there. Not just on the good days, when it’s easy to be someone’s mate, but on the tough ones too. When things got heavy, when I didn’t know where to turn...
Read more