The boil has burst

-- Septic origins trace a distinctly New Zealand streak of vicious intolerance.

The recent collision between Tamaki Drive cyclists and a car doesn’t need further examination here.

But its fetid aftermath shows us for what we are – mean spirited knuckle-heads. The trait squirms under the skin like an angry caterpillar struggling to burst free and eat away decency.

It’s quite strange. We’re good at hiding it from international visitors, who consistently tell us that we’re the friendliest bunch of people they’ve ever met.

Maybe we are, until we hit the road and the caterpillar squirms and intolerance takes hold.

NZ travel guides should come with a warning – the whole friendly thing is a ruse. PR behind which innate spitefulness simmers.

If the silent conversations of road users took voice an awful din of threats and abuse would drown out almost everything: “I’ll show you. I’ll teach you a lesson. Shouldn’t be on the road.” And a thousand other variations.

Why does New Zealand road travel gas common decency and respect?

Do we have large bags of crisps on our shoulders, like the Aussies say? An inferiority complex of small angry man proportions looking for a vent. And what better place than the road, where might is right and little lessons and shows of indignation are so easily dished out.

It’s time we grew up.

We don’t need more laws or special provisions.

Just maturity.

We’re all the same people, just traveling by different means.

Look out for one another and accept that the vast majority of road users are decent people just trying to get some place, without inconveniencing or injuring anyone on the way.

Breathe in breathe out, enjoy the trip and if, along the way, you are inconvenienced, try smiling and waving instead of improvising a demonstration of anger.

Everyone be cool. Be nice. Show respect.