The fallen rider

I've witnessed another auto accident today. Don't get me wrong, I've seen one before (also in my rearview mirror as it happened) and many accidents (after the fact) and even been an unfortunate party when a fool driver rammed me up the rear. But this morning I witnessed one so dramatic it looked like something on TV. So let me share this experience with you.

I was in my car, as usual, I was stuck in peak hour traffic attempting to head into work. The dreaded CTE jam had all cars stopped again while we waited for some clueless driver who couldn't regulate his speed or filter into or out of a lane without making everyone slam on the brakes. Any hoots, I had just happened to check my rearview mirror when I saw a motorcyclist trying to squeeze between a cab and an MPV when he totally failed in the attempt and rammed into the side of the cab. The rider flew off his bike and must have landed past the two cars. It was such a strange feeling seeing a man on a bike one minute and in another instant flying through the air. Thankfully he got up and the cab driver and MPV driver got out of their cars to check on the motorcyclist who was brushing himself off. I must say I was very nasty because all I could think about was that it was a good thing he didn't ram into me, and that my car was infront of this accident because I could see the huge jam piling up behind this scene as I started to move off again.

Yes it was a very selfish thing, but for a moment I was worried for the rider and like I said, I was glad that he appeared fine as he was struggling to his feet. But a part of me also thought 'serves him right for swerving in and out of traffic and squeezing between cars'. As I drove on, I thought an accident scene like that would serve to teach other motorcyclists that they really should occupy a lane like another motor vehicle. Sadly, that last thought was banished quick time because in no time at all, a huge group of motorcyclists who obviously squeezed through the jammed accident scene came hooning past me! Squeezing through traffic without a care in the world. I wonder what these other bikers felt and thought as they rode their motorbikes just as recklessly as the fallen rider, as I crawled at a snails' pace in an orderly line hoping that I'd make it to work on time and another accident doesn't happen a head of me to delay me from my hectic schedule. Then it dawned on me that beside those lousy drivers, it also must be those damn motorcyclists who weave in and out of traffic and squeezing between cars that make my trip into work such a disjointed affair filled with starting and stopping. Damn it all to hell, I wished I lived and worked in the country with no morning peak hour jams so that I can enjoy my car, the sound of my engine humming away in top gear. Oh what a wonderful drive it would be. Yes I'm just as bad as those bikers and cars out there, selfish and unfeeling.