But now, a year after having passed my driving test, I can't imagine life without my car.

That is until last week. A one-way farm track, a blind corner, a head-on collision with a friend and: no car.

I've taken my car for granted. I'd forgotten the hardships of riding a bicycle everywhere. I've joined everyone else in expecting the luxury of personal transport.

And why not? Even now that fuel prices are at an all-time high, driving is cheaper than catching public transport, and often quicker.

Before my incident, on a train back to Diss, I was sitting opposite a Labour MP from Norfolk.

He was bemoaning the fact that the train was late for the third time that week.

Soon there was a sparkling debate in the carriage about late trains. Had the train been late 50 or 60 per cent of the time in the past week?

Who else had to travel for hours on a weekend because of rail works that seem to go on forever? Why pay for a train ticket when you end up catching the bus?

And so on. I think he was regretting his announcement as an MP, especially when the ticket conductor turned up and demanded a pay rise.

Arriving at Diss station, I got a taxi home, because there are no buses after 5pm.

Is it really a surprise that everyone relies on their cars? 'Climate change' will no doubt be a concern next year as it has been this year.

But until public transport improves in the countryside, I'll be trying to avoid points on my licence, not my on carbon footprint.