When I was younger, I remember making several trips down to the Road Safety Community Park at East Coast. I also remember my rage at being cursed on no fewer than two of those occassions to be a pedestrian. For this, I blame fate and my rotten gambler’s luck, the latter being something that has unfortunately carried on into adulthood.
But anyway, I digress. The Park and the annual Shell Traffic Games held there is a brilliant idea, because it not only teaches children the basic principles and value of road safety (look both ways and things like that), it also teaches them empathy for other road-users. The key takeaway is that nobody that uses the road does so in a bubble.
For instance, a pedestrian’s inattention while crossing the road could have dire consequences for motorists as well.
Similarly, a motorcyclist that splits lanes, and weaves in and out of traffic poses a hazard to himself/herself. To say nothing of the cars that have to second-guess what they’re going to do next.
As for cars, being wrapped in several tonnes of steel carries great responsibility, because while you may get off scot-free in an accident, other more “vulnerable” road-users (pedestrians and motorcylists, for example) may not be so lucky. Ditto (and even more so) for drivers of heavy vehicles.
The problem is, many people forget all this. “Because I pay road tax, I have an inalienable right to use the road”, is their rallying cry.
That may be true, but just try walking a mile in another road-users’ shoes for a change. For pedestrians, don’t flag a cab at junctions, or not staring at your smartphone while crossing the road (“they will stop for me” is an incredibly stupid thing to say) would be a start.
As for the motorcyclists, imagine what it would feel like for a driver when you split lanes, hide in his blind spot then scream past centimetres from his wing mirrors.
And you drivers (that includes me), “buzzing” motorcyclists or screaming full-tilt past zebra crossings is not funny. As least, not for the people on the receiving end of your daredevil antics.
So come on, guys. Let’s try a little respect and empathy. Please?
