Comprehension: A Reckless Driver

The alarming and frightening rate at which accidents occur nowadays calls for concern. And accidents do not just happen on their own. They are caused by man’s acts of negligence, recklessness or carelessness.

          When these accidents occur they bring untold suffering and hardship to families, friends, relations and communities. Women become widows, children become orphans overnight. Many people suffer from permanent disabilities. With some restraint on the part of our drivers, most accidents would have been avoided.

          The accident that occurred last week along the Badoska-Zuma Expressway left quite a gory sight. It was a journey undertaken in a ten-seater bus by a group of people going to attend the funeral obsequies of their late benefactor, Chief Olowo. Unfortunately, for some of them, it was their last journey. The weather was fine and the vehicle was in excellent condition. The driver was alert and lively and quite unlike him he did not take any drop of alcohol or hard drugs. So they set out at dawn. The passengers got the first inkling of his recklessness when in an attempt to avoid crushing a dog he swerved off the road and the vehicle gave a rough jerk which woke up the people who had fallen asleep and frightened the remaining passengers who were awake. He was then warned. He seemed to have taken to the warning at that instant but very soon he was at it again. Can the leopard change its spots? He was warned and chastised a million and one times but he was adamant.

          Then the unexpected happened. As he was about to negotiate a bend, a village boy was right in the middle of the road, but then he could have avoided crushing the boy had he not over-sped. He slammed on the brakes but it was too late. The boy was crushed and the vehicle somersaulted three times.

          Instantly five of the passengers were mortally injured and three sustained serious injuries. The driver, only God knew what happened, was unscathed and, as is usual with drivers when accidents occur and they survive, escaped from the scene of the accident without bothering about the fate of his passengers.