I WAS sitting, the first in the queue, on the by-pass by the Lovers Lane junction waiting for the lights to turn green when a Y-reg maroon 4 x 4 zoomed up, swerved through the lights, and stopped plump in front of me. I couldn't believe it. I know it's a pain at every junction these days, but the cheek of it.

The driver then proceeded to zip in and out past every car regardless of approaching traffic until he turned right at Asda. I was glad he got out of my way. I've no time for such inconsideration. I just wish the law had been around. It's this sort of driver that should be nabbed and fined.

He must have been suffering from WDD, Winter Drivers' Disorder, a condition I'd not heard of until yesterday when I read that 12 million motorists have it, making them a danger to other road users.

A survey of over 2000 drivers by an insurance company revealed that over 40pc admitted having the January blues, becoming more irritable and short-tempered, and 39pc said they lacked concentration.

The firm hoped drivers would recognise the symptoms and take more care - so do I.

Thankfully a cop was about on Tuesday morning when another impatient motorist careered along the hard shoulder on the M61 where traffic was brought to a standstill by just half an inch of snow. It took 45 minutes to cover two miles of motorway up to the Westhoughton turn off.

I don't know what it would be like if we had a proper downfall - but then I have no desire to to find out.