As they were roads I was not so familiar driving on, I stuck to what I assumed were the speed limits, which was usually about 60km/h until I spotted a sign telling me otherwise.

Or, until I had some rev-head riding up my backside.

Quite a few backside-riding hoon-dogs decided to threaten me on the trip, and quite often I was already sitting on the correct speed limit or, on one occasion, was actually already going 10 km/h over the limit (shh, that one’s a secret between you me and the lamp post).

Why on earth is everyone on Sydney’s roads in such a rush?

The tragic accident on Elizabeth Drive last Saturday that claimed three lives, that police said could have been saved if drivers drove to the conditions, is an example of how things can go so very, very wrong so very, very quickly.

I spent some time living in country NSW where it seemed nearly everyone could count the number of people they knew to have died or have suffered a serious injury on the roads on more than one hand, myself included.

My attitude on the road has not always been so, ‘mature’, though.

I stupidly ran up the back of a car on a country road one night in a heavy storm. Fortunately the only damage done was to the front of my car, and the only fatality was to my driving ego.

I now drive with at least a car space, or more depending on the road and speed limit, in between myself and the next car.

But what really gets up my goat is the people that think because there is a gap in front of me means it is either for them to jump into or means that they can honk, flash their high beams, or ride up my backside to hurry me up.

Another reporter, photographer and I met a bloke at Kemp’s Creek who reckoned he timed his trip for a few kilometres on Elizabeth Drive at 60 km/ph and then at 80km/ph. He said the difference was about a minute or a minute and a half.

This morning while driving to work I saw a zippy little car ducking in and out of traffic, speeding where he could, being an absolute menace and a huge hazard to other drivers. By the time we reached a red light, he ended up one car space behind me.

It made me think of the hare and the tortoise, except on the road the hare can kill.

What good safety tips do you have for driving?

What gives you road rage?

How do you think road safety could be improved around your area?

Rebecca.richardson@fairfa xmedia.com.au