For all that, I couldn’t give a bashed bollard if that betrays the odd streak of reluctance to embrace some generally accepted ways of our wondrous changing world.

As one of Norfolk’s most experienced non-drivers – that’s a proud boast rather than a humble apology – I used to steer clear of smug condemnation of scary behaviour on our increasingly full and dangerous roads.

Even so, all those years of loyal service as passenger, pedestrian and public transport user have provided an ideal box-seat when it comes to weighing up a fair number of the good, the bad and the downright demented.

My decision to stay away from the driving seat altogether was influenced considerably by a flock of test examiners in the 1980s who hinted strongly it might be best for all of us if I left the highways to those who had some idea what they were intended for.

Sadly, I can only assume that highly commendable brand of judgement did not apply to many who came before my decisive pit-stop or to countless drivers since with scant regard for basic tenets of road safety.

An epidemic of mobile phone use while driving is far from over. The........

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