BMB

Five past eight - should do it in forty minutes - have to watch out, though: first day back at school since
Easter. Real problem these youngsters - what was that policeman saying yesterday on TV, "As you drive,
talk to yourself about the hazards on the road - it's a splendid way of concentrating and so improving your
driving"'. Of course, he's quite right, we all need some discipline, only too easy to drift along. Remarkably
intelligent fellow, good-looking too - I wonder how they pick 'em. I suppose he was a policeman, not just
an actor.

Still, it's a good idea, I'll try it myself. I spotted nearly all the hazards in the film, if I had been actually
driving I reckon I would have scored 100 per cent. Well, here goes - hazard number one, backing out of
the garage - good thing it's a quiet cul-de-sac - I could avoid this one by reversing into the garage. Funny
how I think of this in the morning but always drive straight in when I come home. Too tired to bother, I
guess, after a day at the bank. Anyway, I'm out now, moving on towards the main road - plenty of traffic
here in both directions - not fair to count twenty-four hazards though. Bit of a gap now, signal right, move
off, join the line moving steadily up the slope. Chap in front turning right, have to wait, can't pass him on
the inside. Seems odd, so many folk turning off here - must be almost impossible to cross the London
road at the bottom of the hill.

Coming to the London road myself now, better off here with the new traffic-lights. The lane-markings are
wrong, though: it must be quite a month since I wrote to the Council about it. Pretty slack, these Local
Government people - could take a lesson from the bank: we never keep anyone waiting for a reply.
Gosh! Anybody who blasts away on his horn like the fellow behind me is a major hazard himself. Oh! I
see, the lights are green. What's that expression the French have? Il ne faut pas attendre jusqu'ace que ....
Forget it - concentrate on your driving!

Coming up now to the right-hand turn by Longheath branch, always awkward here, look out for the
Lollipop Lady - useful job for an active retired bank officer, social service and all that. All clear for 100
yards straight run to the blind corner by the `Red Lion'. Seems crazy to pull down all that property way
back and leave the pub still standing on the corner.

Edge slowly out, nothing coming, nice and easy now to the next crossing. Hello, starting to rain - wipers
on - I heard the other day that they use more current than any other appliance on the car. Can't tell
nowadays. My old Austin (1938 was it?) had an ammeter fitted - saves 10s. on the production cost, I
expect.

Raining heavily now - four people sheltering on the step of Brookvalley branch. Well, it's nice to think the
bank is giving a service. What about this for an advert: "Don't stand in the porch, come inside, the
manager is waiting for you"? No, that's no good. Warning: `Road works - mud on the road'. Ah!, the
Ashton bypass; I hope they get it finished before I retire. Nice to speed along an open road to work
instead of this wretched crawl. Complicated junction here - Six Ways we used to call it. Six-acre
roundabout is more appropriate now. If I can get a quick look to the left I might see if they have begun to
demolish the old Ashton branch yet. Don't suppose so - if they did, everything else would fall down. Pity
we had to close - progress they call it.

Don't be a fool, you're supposed to be watching for traffic coming down the main road on the right. O.K.,
concentrate, round the island, left and again. Nice new place for the Midland Counties Bank. I remember
that great old Victorian palace they used to have. Concentrate, concentrate, right turn down the hill,
extraordinary number of school crossings here, can't be too careful, crowds of future depositors. Dead
slow now, under the fly-over. Strange, isn't it - I estimate I'm driving over the very spot where I stood as a
cashier in the old Oakley branch.

Very sharp bend here, could be nasty in winter; straighten up under the railway - always have to stop,
quite dark really, good place to test brake lights; mine are working, I caught the red glow reflected in the
headlamps of the car behind.

Hold it! Zebra crossing, folk just drifting across in ones and twos. Hello, there's young Karen Martin on
her way to Summer Hill branch. Well, at least she's going to be early today.

Do we count mini-skirted girls as traffic hazards? They tell me that Karen's ideas about filing definitely
constitute a banking hazard!

Last turn now before running in to Head Office; always have to wait, still I'm first off when I get the
chance. Summer Hill branch looks quite good for a temporary office, and that new sign stands out well.
Paintwork still quite clean - perhaps we need not include it in this year's programme.

Moving again. What's this? Edward road reopened, that's an unexpected bonus - I could save at least five
minutes. Hang it, they've closed Oxford street now: talk about swings and roundabouts! Honestly, driving
around the city is like a blessed obstacle race. Only a quarter of a mile now and I've made it. Really, Main
street is one long hazard from end to end - buses, cars, pedestrians - the lot.

Safely parked now till 5 o'clock - sorry, 17.00 hours - must keep up to date. Wonder what the depositors
think of our new hours of business plates.

Splendid idea, this running commentary - really does help one to concentrate.

This article was first published in the Savings Banks Institute Journal of July 1970.

Godfrey Boden contributed to the SBI Journal under the pseudonym 'Gelbie'.

(October 28th 2009)