Posted: 10/26/2006 6:10:50 AM EDT
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Last night, after my sons football game, Chelleshooter were headed home around 20:30ish. We were one of the first on the scene of a single car accident, where a young girl skipped a stop sign at a T, crossing the hwy in to the deep ditch and farmers fence. Both airbags were deployed but she was lucky. A good samaritan was already taking care of her. No evident injurys, Emergency services were on their way... After a few minutes of dodging traffic and studying the skid marks, (she said the car just went out of control... BS, she was on the phone or screwing with the radio or etc., ... she tried to turn out of her mistake at high speed, that's all), I noticed the color of the steam starting to take on a different shade. So although I didn't think the car would actually catch on fire, I instructed everyone to move themselves and their cars away, while I went to signaling traffic. 10 minutes later, the car is a fireball, right under the power lines. (fire dept called too) So here's the story. I've been in this situation a dozen or so times, where about all I could do to help was to control traffic until authorities arrived and took over. And just like last night, the responses you get from commuters are widely varied. Some will ask if everyone is ok, and then some want to know the whole story and maybe even tell you one too, .... and some just get flat out irate that traffic flow has been delayed.   This roughly 35%, who could care less that someone may be hurt, or that other volunteers are there on their own time doing what they can, truly dissapoint me.  One woman rolls down the window and starts telling me how she doesn't know how to get around any detour, and when I tell her to pull over and wait, so I could give her instructions soon, she stomps on the throttle, and blazes by the burning car.  Guess she didn't like my tone...It seems like it's always about the same.... 1/3rd or so of folks are so wrapped up in their own lives and schedules, that they can't fathom the idea that life isn't all about them, or that they are the type of people they so agry at throughout their days. My faith in the human race continues to erode.... |
+1 for you and your actions. -106 for the bitch who sped past you. The funny thing about life is that karma is a bitch. And as my Mom says..... "One day the ass you collect may be your own." ETA: Glad everyone was ok. |
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years and years ago I used to drive truck and deliver newspapers, i was out after the bars closed in the wee hours of the morning and often came across drunks in the ditch and in wrecks all the time, I hated looking into the vehicles, I hate blood and gore especially when it is human beings that are smeared all over the place, but I always stopped and helped as much as possible. People believing they are the center of the universe is more common now than at any-time I can remember. Good on you for being a trouper. |
Exact same here. When we first got there, it looked like someone was out cold in the drivers seat. The lump in my throat was huge. Being wrong never felt so good. I usually stop to see if I can help anyhow, if I'm one of the first and crowds haven't already gathered. Years ago, just a few miles closer to town than last night, I passed a frantic woman by her small pickup, with a carburetor fire going. I whipped back around and put the fire out with my coat. But no-one before me or after me even stopped, on a day when traffic was heavy. It cost me a coat, but I learned a valuable lesson about human nature. |
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i have nothing to add here, just like everyone else has said. people live in their own worlds and most times play by their own rules. my mom always says, "The Earth will get back at you eventually." why cant it be like Germany, that forces people to pullover to provide assistance until trained personnel arrive. that might change peoples way of thinking. |
(I dug through my desk and found my rose colored glasses.... gonna keep 'em close by from now on)