Order of events:
1. Two cars, one behind the other, are driving East to West over the intersection.
2. A pedestrian, who should not have crossed the road at this point, runs in front of Car A on the other side of the intersection.
3. Car A slams on brakes to avoid hitting the pedestrian.
4. Car B slams into the back of Car A after sudden stop.
5. Pedestrian hears the smash, looks at the stationary cars, and continues on his journey – away from the scene of the accident.
Waiting on my bike for the traffic lights to change, so that I can turn from South to East, I saw the whole thing. I turned when the lights changed, realised I’d feel terrible if I didn’t do something, turned around and proceeded to find the pedestrian who was to blame.
When I arrived at the traffic light, I could still see both cars on the other side of the intersection, assuming they were exchanging details. I chased and found the pedestrian, riding on the verge of the road at one point toward on-coming traffic (not smart), to meet the pedestrian on the side of the road.
I explained that I saw the whole thing and that he was to blame. He acknowledged that it was his fault and I coaxed him to walk back and apologise for the accident that was clearly caused by him. My aim was to at least allow the drivers to feel like this person was truly sorry for the error in judgement, and for them to not leave feeling like they had both been screwed by an unknown person who’s long gone. “It’s only right”, I thought.
When I rode back, I saw the cars had left, so I turned around, again, and told the pedestrian not to continue, but to be aware that if something like that happens, it’s unfair of him to just walk away. He was at fault, and he should apologise. He agreed, said thank you, and continued on his original journey.
At the beginning of this 5-minute saga, I felt like a hero – finding the culprit and bringing him before the people who he did wrong by. Now I just feel like a dick, and feel there was no real lesson learned.
Would you do that? Should you do that? Was I right in doing that? At first I thought yes, but now I think I may potentially have wasted my time.
Eh?
Don,
You did more than many would have in that instance. Most would have just carried on, much like he (the pedestrian) did. The two car drivers probably think that they were screwed over, but they also probably had things to do and didn’t wait around for the apology – granted they probably didn’t think that the guy would have stuck around to apologise.
It’s a small gesture, taking the time out to point it out to him, but the guy that caused this all (hopefully) realised what he did wrong, and will think better of his actions and the possible reactions.
This means he might rather put his pride in his pocket and take accountability for many things in his life rather than just cross the road and walk off.
Good on you.
Frankly I am disappointed in your actions. I figured you for a guy who fully commits to something and never half arses things.
Had I been in your position I would have estimated the excess payable by car B, added in an inconvenience multiplier plus the increase in insurance premium to arrive at a final Rand amount. I would then have proceeded to inflict damage to the pedestrian to that rand value.
This would have been a ‘lesson’ learned for the pedestrian.
^ what he said.
Also, one of the problems in society as a whole is that people DON’T stop do say something. What if one of the people in the cars had been seriously hurt or killed without you realising? What if that same pedestrian goes out with his retarded ‘cars will stop for me’ outlook and causes another crash that IS fatal?
In so many other situations – child abuse, rape, accidents… whatevs – perps get away with their shit because no-one stops to say, “Hey, hang on – this doesn’t seem right”.
It doesn’t even matter that much that the cars left before the dude could apologise. What matters is that someone (ie. you) stopped being apathetic and actually said someone/did something/noticed something.
I once drove past someone who had been shot/badly hurt and was probably dead many years back. Another car had stopped too, but we didn’t. Didn’t call the cops afterwards either. Even now, there are times I think about that and wish I had done something – anything!
Sorry for the essay of a comment, dude but to answer your question: fuck yes, you should have done that and you were right to do it.
There’s one universal truth that I learned from Marvel: Being a hero sometimes means being a dick.
You think everyone was happy when the Avengers fucked up the city fighting Loki and his army? No man! Half of the citizens are unappreciative assholes who just like to moan and piss on everything. And they thought the Avengers were a bunch of dicks for all that damage.
What you did was okay. You just need to think like Tony Stark and stop giving a shit. You did a good thing, which most people won’t bother to do, and now you feel a little awkward. I say fuck that. I say you should find a perch on a Sandton building and wait for something similar to happen. Scan those intersections with your eagle eyes until the right moment. Only this time, make sure you tell those drivers they should hold the fuck up while you chase down the guilty for judgement and snot klapping.
I’ll be waiting for your follow-up story.
Don Jist like Rox said: you did the right thing, if there was any casualties the culprit was at hand. It’s not about being a hero or a dick . its about doing the right thing and it all starts with education. At home and school that is what seperates us from tha animals. Doing what is right and humane. It all starts with a small gesture and can become a way of life. lets choose rhe right way!
Firstly, well done!
Without your effort I think the person who caused the accident would have been completely oblivious to what he had done. You at least made him realise the error of his ways. Now, I’m not saying he will change his ways and never do it again, but you did make him aware. And that is 90% of the battle. Maybe he won’t do it again, and that’s all because you took the time out of your day.