Christmas is coming and a lot of people will be heading out into the great Australian countryside to relax and recharge their brains after a harsh year that has seen much doom and gloom pervading the news.

Typically, two types of driver use country roads – those who are peacefully enjoying the scenery, and those who are simply getting from point A to point B in as short a time as is safely possible. The faster drivers are normally in their home area, those cruising serenely along and enjoying the scenery are likely to be strangers to the locality.

Both types of driver have a legitimate right to be on the road and to travel at their own pace - but they should each show as much consideration to one another as possible.

Unfortunately, though, the two types of drivers sometimes get in each others’ way. Those who want to get on with their trip in a reasonably short time find themselves being frustrated by the slow movers. And the person who wants to wander along and enjoy their drive often find their mirrors full of other cars’ bonnets, sometimes with stupid tailgating putting both drivers at risk.

The guy who wants to travel slowly should look for a safe opportunity to move over and let others pass, especially when a large queue forms, indicating in plenty of time that they are doing so.

If you are one of the quicker drivers and are stuck behind slow moving traffic don't get impatient. There's no surer way of irritating a slow moving driver than to sit right on their back bumper - and guess who will get booked if you run into the rear of their car…

The biggest mistake can be for the driver of the faster car to try to get past not only the vehicle causing the holdup, but also two or three other cars at the same time. That can lead to the second car in the convoy moving out to overtake just as an impatient driver tries to jump the queue, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Motorhomes are often notoriously slow so when I’m doing a road test on one I like to move over to let the quicker guys past. Once you set your mind to doing so it’s surprising just how many opportunities there are. It’s unusual for there not to be a chance to get out of the way every few minutes.

It’s very pleasing to see how grateful other drivers are when you do let them past. Almost invariably you’ll get a friendly wave when you do the right thing. And that's something which makes everyone involved feel better. A driver who’s feeling good is a better and safer driver so everyone’s a winner – and isn't that what life’s all about?

ewan@marque.com.au