I am not sure which is worse – a police patrol car colliding with an ambulance or a private 4WD driven by a 74-year-old knocking into one.
Both happened in Kuching, at different road junctions – one, years back, and the latter, just days ago.
The first incident, which happened years ago, resulted in a fatality while those involved in the recent one only came away with shock and minor injuries.
I cannot imagine myself or anyone, for that matter, driving into an ambulance and making headlines for the wrong reasons – touch wood.
I have had my fair share of near-misses on the road and am quite used to seeing ambulances and other emergency vehicles scurrying to save lives and property with their blinking lights and wailing sirens at full blast.
Of course, no driver in his right mind would ever think of trying to knock into an ambulance, especially in broad daylight – what with surveillance cameras to record the whole incident.
How’s that for being famous for the wrong reasons? Better not!
It is indeed unfortunate that the ambulance flipped over on its side, with a pregnant woman, driver and two nurses inside.
It could be worse.
I can imagine what went through their minds when the impact sent them tumbling ‘all over inside’ while trying to evade projectiles in a bid to escape injury and harm, literally holding on to their dear lives.
Thank God no serious injuries resulted and the pregnant woman successfully delivered a baby boy thereafter, although that wasn’t really his idea of coming into this world with a loud bang, so to speak.
Congratulations on the successful delivery, nevertheless.
His parents would surely narrate this harrowing tale to him in the years to come when ‘unto us, a child was born’.
I really felt pity for all those involved after viewing a video clip of the accident.
However, in hindsight, the unfortunate incident was largely preventable…if only things did not all happen ‘at the wrong time and at the wrong place’.
A friend, who is an expert in safety, shared that ‘accidents do not just happen – they are triggered by a chain of events’, however unfortunate.
I don’t like to be judgmental but my experiences on the road have given sufficient impression that quite a number of ‘Hilux’ (long-ended vehicles) and 4WD drivers, with due respect to the driver involved, think that they are driving around in armoured vehicles and deserve the right of way, despite being in other road users’ way.
The rule of law does not seem to apply but rather, ‘size does matter’ at times.
How we park our vehicles is a rough indicator of our attitude and consideration for other road users. Trying to squeeze a long-ended vehicle into an obviously inadequate parking space smacks of inconsideration as it creates an inconvenience for others who choose to park properly.
Yes, it’s a choice thing.
A drive around most public areas ̶ commercial centres, banks and food courts will illustrate many such examples. One’s convenience should not be achieved at the expense of other road users’ convenience, especially if it creates hazards in the process like parking at blind corners, narrow roads or road junctions.
There may be something seriously wrong with the way our authorities draw or design the parking lots in relation to the traffic flow or there is a fundamental flaw in the driving skills of vehicle owners. When the above are in order, then something else must be very wrong – can it be due to a lackadaisical mindset or just a plain ‘tidak apa’ attitude?
Basic courtesy on our roads seems to be on the wane, going from bad to worse, for whatever reasons. Simple courtesy like giving early signals before turning is glaringly found wanting. Not to mention seeing two-way traffic in a one-way street or vehicles heading north when the arrows are obviously pointing south.
I have also seen road users treating roundabouts like running tracks – sticking to the same lanes but heading towards the wrong destination, avoiding collisions with movie-like swerves in the nick of time.
It seems that vehicle size and heroics, not the rule of law, determine the right of way on our roads.
Good behaviour on our roads appears to be guided by the presence of traffic police over a general acceptance of shared responsibility of looking out for each other.
I used to have a strange habit or urge to accelerate when the traffic lights turned amber during the day and run through red lights after midnight and was lucky to escape without any untoward incident but debris strewn at traffic light junctions indicated that others were not as lucky.
That struck home, and after realising that driving and traffic rules are not based on luck, I started to become more sensible for my own and family’s sake and adopted defensive driving, which is less stressful and more meaningful too.
Of course, when bad habits for some road users may have ended, for others, they have just begun.
All said, anger and danger are a bad combination on the roads, together with alcohol, multi-tasking and bad attitude – all these can lead to dire consequences for all parties involved.
If you have friends like these, it’ll be good to share with them while they are still listening.
While some may drive to cause accidents, the more sober among us should always drive and strive to avoid accidents and dents.
We do not wish to see another ambulance turn turtle or a pregnant woman delivering her baby upside down.
Caring is sharing. Be aware of each other.
Safety and courtesy on the roads are everybody’s responsibility.
It is better to be late than dead on time.
Thank you, and do drive safely and considerately at all times.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
