IS IT only me who tells people not to block the pavement with their cars, or complain because they are on double yellow lines and get the response, “I’ll only be a minute”?

Is it only me who shouts at drivers who fly past as I have started to go over a pedestrian crossing? Is it only me who honks the car horn at drivers who run a red light or cut in front at queues? Are there others out there who care?

Our standard of driving is atrocious. Getting there quickly without the least amount of waiting seems to be the order of the day, with no consideration for everyone else. I am so glad that I have the gift of sight and hearing to avoid accidents.

What is the point of teaching the Highway Code, only for it to be ignored as soon as a licence is given? Who teaches old-fashioned courtesy and concern for other people using roads and pavements?

Pavements are there for pedestrians only, not for vehicles of any description under any circumstance.

How many police vehicles drive past offences where a ticket could be given to dissuade drivers from being so anti-social?

What has happened? The cash-strapped police only seem concerned with chasing speedsters or getting to traffic incidents with their blues and twos disturbing the peace, then hanging around for hours. They need to shape up.

It is much different from my day, when the slightest offence seemed to warrant a ticket.

I am so exasperated with the number of vehicles on the streets of Kendal. How many short journeys are so necessary that a walk or a bike ride could not easily achieve in the same or even less time?

So, you’ll read this, hear a grumpy old man talking and ignore it, but mark my words, the day is fast approaching when we will all need to evaluate car usage, despite our age.

The present level of pollution is scientifically proven to be untenable for the survival of our planet. At least think of your children and grandchildren. Is it fair or being a responsible adult to hand the planet’s greatest problem over to them? We have little time to address the problem.

Roy Wilcock

Kendal