A driver’s grouse

Driving down the jam packed Central Expressway in Singapore during the morning peak hour can be quite frustrating.

Every driver is trying to rush through the many ERP gantries before the prices switch to higher rates. With bad weather, the traffic slows down exponentially. Even if you have planned your time to pass the gantries before 8am (where prices change to a higher rate), your schedule gets messed up because of the ridiculous traffic conditions. The driver then grumbles about the additional funds that will be deducted from his CashCard.

To make matters worst, situations like this happen:

You are travelling on lane one, the supposedly overtaking lane. A taxi driver decides to ‘fiercely’ cut into your lane, bordering dangerous / reckless driving classifications, to squeeze himself into the tiny space between you and the car in front. You give way to him and slow down. After getting into the lane, taxi driver decides to be the safest driver in town and practices defensive driving. He leaves a humongous safe driving distance between himself and the car in front.

At least ten cars then flood into that space, and you find yourself travelling a speed that’s way slower.

“Beep” goes your IU. You’re being charged at the higher rate.