By EWAN KENNEDY
19 January 2009

Short of a car crash there can be few things more terrifying to a driver than getting lost in a strange city. Feeling trapped in a crowded traffic situation with vehicles everywhere, street signs that often make sense only to locals, or streets without any signs at all. Then there's the frustration of not being unable to turn in the direction you want because there's no-right-turn.

And probably nowhere to stop to try and look at a map and gather your wits.

We have all felt the sheer horror of these and hundreds of other things that can go wrong in an area that’s foreign to us.

Spare a thought for the locals, as well, those who do know where they are but are being endlessly hindered by lost souls. If they live in a popular tourist area they are endlessly getting stuck behind cars travelling very slowly, braking suddenly, changing direction without a signal, even cars doing illegal U-turns.

My home area on the Gold Coast is full of cars with interstate plates and confused drivers and navigators, the latter generally harassed wives trying not only to cope with maps and signs, but also with hot and bothered children. Most of us locals understand what’s happening and are tolerant. A few ratbags get us all a bad name by, seemingly deliberately, going out of their way to be nasty to tourists.

It doesn’t have to be like that. Let’s all help one another, after all everyone is in the other person’s shoes at some time in this driving game.

Those who are in an area foreign to them should do some homework as to the route they are about to take – and do it before they get behind the wheel. Preferably with a comprehensive street directory, not a totally inadequate, free tourist map or some scribbled notes from a friend of the guy behind the counter at the local servo.

The lost driver should keep an eye on their mirrors and pull over to check on the next instruction where possible if they are causing hassles by crawling along holding up others.

On the other side of the ledger, the locals should be as tolerant as possible and be aware of the problems being faced, making space for poor lost souls to change lanes to make a desperately needed turn. And if you are the poor lost soul don’t forget to give a thank-you wave when someone does make room for your car.

It’s often possible to talk to a stranger in as strange car at a red traffic light when you stop alongside them to see if you can help. My wife and I were once led out of London to the motorway we needed by a total stranger who saw us scratching our heads over a map in a carpark. (And I’m embarrassed to admit it was a local tourist map, not a proper directory!)

As with everything else in driving, indeed in life in general, understanding and co-operation work wonders. Not only in letting everyone get about their business in as relaxed a manner as possible, but also in creating a warm feeling towards others.

Try co-operating on the road this holiday season, it really does work. In fact, why not cooperate everywhere all the time, not just when you’re a confused victim of the holiday seasons?

ewan@marque.com.au

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