I was walking across a road in town Saturday with one of my regular elderly gents (72) who was taking me shopping, when a car ran him over at the lights!
I hadn’t realized but as I waited seeing the red man appear at the lights, he’d started walking across the road, and by the time he’d got to the 3rd car out of 4, the lights had turned to green. The young boy racer in his new mini had decided that although there was an old man in front of his car he was going to put his foot down and knock him over to teach him a lesson. So I watched from the side of the road, horrified as John, my date, was driven into, went across the bonnet of the car (the car was still going forwards), landed in front of the car, before the driver finally decided to stop, as ultimately if he’d gone on any further he’d have killed him!
I do not believe for one second that the guy didn’t see John. When you stop at lights all you do is watch people crossing and you don’t accelerate to move your car forwards without looking through your windscreen. Also the young guy never once said that he didn’t see him, which if you didn’t, you would. Instead he just kept apologising and saying the lights were on green.
In front of the forth row of cars was a taxi, and he stopped too to offer help. John did not want a fuss and would not let me call the police or ambulance – after all he wasn’t supposed to be in Nottingham. How would he explain that one to his wife when he got back to Scotland?
I thought after of a million and one things I should have said and done at that moment. I wished I’d taken the guys registration number, keyed his car, given him more grief, hit him in the face. My main concern was for John though so all I could think about was him, and I was in shock so not really thinking straight. He hobbled across the rest of the road with me guiding him, to my car in the car park. I was bawling my eyes out, and couldn’t stop crying. He kept saying he was fine, but I’m sure he would just say that anyway!
In the car he took off his jacket. There was no hole in his jacket but there was in his shirt and his elbow was bloody. When he rolled his sleeve up I could see his bone as the cut had gone so deep. He would not let me take him to hospital. I was so worried about him, and more so because he wouldn’t get it looked at and I didn't know if he was in shock. I certainly was and it didn't even happen to me!
I walked him back to his car to make sure he got back safely across the roads, and asked him to call me as soon as he got home to let me know he was ok.
As I was with my sister still shopping at 5.30 p.m. he called me to say he was back at home and felt the same as he had when he’d left me.
Thankfully he could actually walk. If the accident had been any more serious and he’d have had to be hospitalized how would he have explained that one to his wife who he was supposed to be picking up from the airport Monday?
I just find it so disturbing and distressing that someone could purposefully knock over an old man! What kind of sick person does that?
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2 comments:
Kids...kids with fast cars...do not concentrate on people when driving. They focus on what is down the road and how best to maneuver around obstacles to be fastest or 'win the race' with friends. I am sure that the kid did not see your client until the last moment, he was concentrating on the beating the light and what was down the road. He had his 'bliders' on and his mind ignored anything in his peripheral vision. Whilst his eyes saw John, his mind did not register the danger nor the object walking into the traffic lane.
I ride a motorcycle and have seen this behaviour here in the States. Every intersection poses the threat of a motorist hitting me or cutting me off. When peoples' minds expect to see a automobile, their minds don't register anything else. When I ride, I make sure people see me before I proceed. I wear bright clothing (yellow leather jacket, orange leather chaps, bright green helment, etc.) and sometimes I have to weave a bit to catch someone's eye. I see many 'double-takes' as motorists notice me at last.
Perhaps in John's home town or in his past, people slowed down for pedistrians. When he goes to a larger city, he may forget that the traffic and citizens do not follow the same rules as he is used to. Extra caution is needed by everyone in more congested areas...even if we've been there many times before.
Here in the States, drivers and pedistrians any large town or city use the '3 second rule'. Wait 3 or more seconds and look both ways before proceeding. I use it when driving my truck at stop lights. When it changes to green..1 thousand...2 thousand...3 thousand...look both ways then proceed. I've seen 5 accidents where people have been broadsided when they go immediately when the light changes to green. There are usually those trying to 'beat the yellow light' and zoom through on a red light.
Be aware of your surroundings, use caution at all times, count to 3 and look both ways at intersections, and don't look like 'easy prey' for the muggers and thieves.
I hope John makes a speedy and healthy recovery. I hope you treat him extra special on your next appointment. Nothing heals wounds faster than a little extra tender care! -)
Toodles,
Dolnor "Write Me A Novel" Numbwit
aka SirNoldor
Sorry, I misread your posting. DOH! My apologies. (Where's the "Edit Message" button!)
The kid was stopped at the light, waiting for it to turn green. And he 'jumped' the light, hitting John. The kid was concentrating on beating the light...just like a drag racer. In hindsight, he did see John...but his concentration was on the light. No excuses, pedistrians have the right-of-way PERIOD! He still had his 'blinders' on, probably ignoring the foot-traffic passing in front of him. All focus was on the red light changing to green.
Yes, you should have:
• Written down his registration plate.
• The make and color of his automobile. Include the interior color and any objects on the seats/floor.
• The date and time of the accient.
• A specific description of the driver (age, what he was wearing, etc.)
• Ask for his license.
• Ask for proof of insurance.
Even if you yourself were not injured, you can still report the accident and leave John's name out of it. If someone gets away with commiting an accident, nothing is learned and they will probably do something similar later.
Keying his car would solve nothing. Slapping him could provoke a violent reaction which could put both you and John in dire jeopardy. Remain level-headed as much as you can and take care of the business at hand. I know its hard to do in the moment. Try your best.
SirNoldor
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