Most car drivers these days know in their hearts there is something missing from their lives - what they need is some method of communicating directly with people in other cars, preferably in a way that does not allow the other driver to respond. This would be especially useful in heavy traffic situations, allowing points of view to be expressed freely and fairly.
One method of course is to place a large, election-type loudspeaker on top of your car, then you can move from thought to expression just by lifting the microphone: "You! Yes, you in the dented Polo! Please put down the lo-fat crisps and place BOTH hands on the wheel." But this method draws attention from the garda on point duty, who may feel you are usurping his crispbusting power.
Now, there's a new invention that is as stylish as it is unostentatious. The Envoy Vehicle Courtesy System is a small display panel that sticks to the back of your rear window.
Press one button on the dashboard and a message flashes up for the driver behind, choose another switch and get another missive. Sadly - unless you are an electrical engineer and can fiddle with the device's innards - the only messages for the moment are SORRY, THANKS and HELP.
The Envoy Vehicle Courtesy System, around £60 (#76), available soon in auto shops.
(# - Euro)
