Pedestrians often forget they're just as much part of what we all call traffic as the actual vehicles. This very convenient omission often turns into a feeling that you don't have to care about the rules, because they don't apply to you.
Of course, all that changes the instant a driver infringes on your rights. Then, all of a sudden, the whole traffic code comes back flashing before your eyes and you turn into a true preacher, lecturing the man with harsh words while all the time playing the vulnerability card. And five minutes later you jaywalk like it's nothing "because the road was clear."
Let's be honest, we're all more inclined to disregard the traffic laws when we're on foot than when driving a vehicle. It's not OK, but at the same time, it's preferable that things stay this way. When you're a pedestrian, it's very likely that the only person you're endangering by your reckless behavior is yourself, whereas operating a vehicle means you could harm others just as well. These rules don't always apply, but that generally tends to be the case.
Here, though, the guy crossing the road without a care in the world caused more damage than he would have with a baseball bat in his hand, a license to smash anything and a minute to spare. His careless jaywalking resulted in at least three damaged vehicles (the Renault Fluence on the left, the Nissan Qashqai on the right, and the scooter - possible also the car in front of the Renault), but fortunately, all persons involved got out in one piece.
Crossing the street through a bunch of stopped cars may seem harmless, but that's only if you bother to look left and right. If you keep going straight with your earbuds on and the music playing, sooner or later you'll end up like this guy. His muscular build helped him here as he was able to pick himself up and keep going, but we're not so sure is going to do him any good when the repair bill for the three vehicles comes.
Not that he seems in any hurry to take responsibility for what happened. In true pedestrian spirit, he high-tails it out of there as if nothing happened, or as if he were the victim. Sorry, buddy, but you'd better prepare your checkbook or hope those three guys don't give you even more reason to rush to the ER.
"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie) Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News