《小太陽》

太陽像那大紅花 在那東方天邊掛
圓圓臉兒害羞像紅霞 只是笑不說話

太陽像個大南瓜 在那高高天空掛
照得滿山歡樂融融 草兒發嫩芽

大嘴巴 笑哈哈 落了也要往上爬
敬它 愛它 我把心願交給它

太陽倦了便回家 夜裏休息少驚怕
明晨月兒落旭日重來 依舊往上爬

路上零意外 香港人人愛

Introduction
Sorry for offending if you are a lefty driver, but I am being annoyed by them nearly everyday. Lefty drivers are defined here as a group of drivers who always keep to the leftest lanes. Their behaviour was greatly due to the fact that the left lane is also known as the "slow lane". Lefty drivers seem to think that the slow lane is always slow, always safe, and always allow them time to think. This may be true in many circumstances, but is absoluately not applicable in a roundabout (1,2), and that's why lefty drivers are often the reason for an accident.

Figure 1. Map of two roundabouts at Ma Liu Shui. Normal route (Purple). Route of lefty drivers (Red). Experimental route (Blue) . First collision (A). Second collision (B). The figure illustrated the possible collision points on the way from Shatin to CUHK in the absence or presence of a lefty driver. A normal driver takes the purple route and passes through the first roundabout in the right lane, changes to the left lane upon exiting, then keeps to the left lane through the second roundabout. However, upon the presence of a lefty driver who has given up both exits to the KCR and to the Tolo highway, a collision may occur at point A, where both cars were trying to leave the last exit on the left lane. To avoid the first collision, some of the normal drivers would take the experimental route (blue). However at the second roundabout, when the lefty driver stays in the left lane and blocks the exit to the Science Park, the chance of a second collision at point B would be significantly increased.

Results

The experiment showed that the chance of a collision is the same for both control and experimental routes (Figure 1). According to the roundabout rules, a driver must keep to the right if he wants to take the last exit (1,2). However, as represented by the red line on the map, lefty drivers pass through two consecutive roundabouts using the left lane, even if they are taking the last exits in both roundabouts. Besides the possibility that they are unfamiliar with the place, another explanation is that they are trying to put themselves in an unbeatable situationon. If they keep riding on the left lane, they are able to leave or stay at any time they want to. However by satisfying their own well-being, they are ignoring the safety of their fellow drivers on the same road. While some normal drivers are aware of the danger and take another route (blue), some might still fall into the trap of another collision at point B, keeping the total number of accidents more or less the same.

Conclusion

We are all riding in different roundabouts, greeting and saying goodbye to different people at different entrances and exits. Some of us are riding on the left lane, some on the right, depending on our commitment to that particular roundabout. Sadly, everyone on the left lane must leave before the last exit, or they may crash with any car who wants to leave from the right lane. If you want to join again, find the next entrance, where you will always be welcomed. Why cling yourself to the peripheral of a circle that doesn't belong to you? Leave, or keep to the right. This is the rule. One day you will find your designated roundabout that carries you through until the very last exit, the one that makes you stay whole-heartedly all the way.

And for those already on the inside, try your best to stay till the end, so that you won't risk a chance of collision. You are right to leave from the right lane. You might be right even if you bump into the lefty drivers. However, the formulation of safety rules did not mean to protect you after an accident, but to avoid any. Remember the days when you were still wearily looking for your roundabout. Remember how you were tolerated when you were once a lefty driver thinking of which way to go. In case someone blocks your way out, slow down and smile at him as he tremblingly drives pass and overtakes you. Do not hurt those who dangerously stays on the left lane, but to gain them into the right. As Jesus said "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (3)

Observe road safety. Value life.

References

1. Do you know your Roundabout Rules? 2009 ACT Road Rule Handbook, Australia

2. Roundabouts, 2007 Road Safety Authority, Ireland

3. John 13:34