The world is full of bad drivers. Admittedly, they're not all on the M4 but sometimes when you're driving along the motorway it feels like you're surrounded by inpatient motorists who just don't care for the rules of the road.
Of course, driving along the motorway can be one of the most stressful parts of a journey - but the M4 is full of slip roads, changing speed limits and unexpected speed cameras to keep you on your toes. Here are the things you only know if you have to drive along the M4 all the time:
Thought of something we've missed? Let us know what you notice when you drive along the M4 in the comments.
1. There's no such thing as an M4 shortcut
We've all heard it. When the M4 was closed at Newport once, your mate took a shortcut to avoid the queuing traffic. They didn't. They're lying. There's no such thing as an M4 shortcut, we've all just got to get on the road and hope we've timed it well to avoid the traffic.
2. The rain is always worse at Bridgend
We don't understand why but if you're driving along the M4 and there's not a cloud in the sky you can almost guarantee that raindrops will come beating down as soon as you approach Bridgend. Spooky.
3. The best services are Pont Abraham
No ifs, no buts. But Sarn does have McArthur Glen really close by so it gets some points for that. And there's a KFC.
4. But in the summer, it's only the start of the pain
Picture the scene: it's a glorious summer's day, a Friday afternoon and you're heading west to enjoy west Wales' world-beating coast. As you approach the end of the M4 at Pont Abraham you think "Aaah, almost there." But you're not. And the traffic that awaits you on the A48 and then the A40 as you try to get out west will test you to your limits.
5. You always remind yourself to book a table at The Grand Sultan
It's one of the few restaurants and pubs you can see from the M4 - and it shines like a beacon. It's just been named winner of the Asian Restaurant of the Year for Wales too, so it's well worth a visit.
6. No one knows where the speed cameras are between Newport and England — or if they're even turned on
There are cameras there somewhere. They've been there for months, apparently. But who knows if they're on or not. Five months after they were first installed they hadn't been.
7. Someone always crashes between 4-6pm on a Friday
Rush hour is a nightmare on most major roads and motorways across Wales and beyond - but there's something excruciatingly painful about being stuck on the Friday evening rush hour traffic on the M4.
While many people are strolling through their front doors on a Friday evening with a relieved smile on their face as they think of the takeaway they're going to order and the trashy Friday night TV they're going to watch - unlucky motorists are stuck at a crawling pace on the M4 as traffic queues but no-one moves.
Wasting away your Friday evening in a line of cars, vans and lorries is a sure-fire way to start your weekend on the wrong-foot. And if you're unfortunate enough to get stuck on the road after a crash, that's all you're going to be able to think about all weekend.
8. You spend the whole journey dreading what the traffic will be like around Newport and Port Talbot
You're navigating the motorway fairly successfully and not yet angry that Radio 1 has played the same six songs on repeat for the last hour - but now you're distracted by what the traffic will be like when you eventually get to Newport or Port Talbot.
After zooming down the motorway at 70mph, you soon face having to reduce your speed to 50mph (or less!) - a snail pace in comparison - before going even slower again around your neighbourhood. All while navigating the traffic, it's almost painful.
9. Getting off at Junction 33 westbound can be a little like taking your life into your hands
Ah, the motorway journey is nearly over and you're just about to turn off and head to Cardiff, or the services. But hang on, you're in the fast lane and you need to get across four lanes of 70mph traffic and into the slip lane on one of the busiest stretches of road in Wales. Joy!
10. The short journey from Port Talbot to Swansea seems to take HOURS...
It's barely 20 minutes but for whatever reason, as you drive past the steelworks that short drive to Swansea seems to take foreverrrr!
11. ...and you rage about the 50mph zone
The 50mph speed restriction can confuse some novices, but for those who drive along the M4 regularly, the 50mph zone at Port Talbot is so incredibly dull and makes you feel like you might as well be walking. But the reason is to improve the region's air quality, so you'll have to deal with it. The motorway could really do with some greenery - or perhaps some shuttering to block out the pollution and dirt, as suggested by residents living directly above the M4. You can read more about this here
12. And you will spend large parts of your journey wishing you'd gone to the loo before you got in the car
Driving home from work and stuck in traffic? 'It's only a short trip down the motorway' rings in your ears as you clench your cheeks and tell yourself that next time, you *must* go to the toilet before you get in the car to drive home.
