Madam, – May I commend Kildare County Council for its radical new policy which shows such insight and understanding of the human condition? Around the county, philosophical, nay psychological statements promoting self-help have begun to appear. On the M9, devoid of any roadworks or incidents, there stands a lone sign: “Expect Delays”. What a piece of genius, recalling as it does the works of Seneca the Younger, the Roman Stoic born in 6BC.
His teaching would suggest traffic jams and bad driving are neither unfair or surprising, they are a predictable feature of life. The person who gets angry about them has the wrong expectations of life. Seneca’s advice was like that of Kildare County Council – adjust your attitude towards pessimism and “Expect Delays”. When there are no delays, it is a bonus.
However, the sign in the centre margin of the Athy road may prove more controversial and border on political interference. It reads “Keep Left”. – Yours, etc,