Monday, April 09, 2012

King of the road, the lawless motorcyclist


A car driver asks what we can do about lawless motorcyclists terrorising our city? Not much I suppose since so far all the campaigns against them seem very seasonal and the lawless continue to thumb their noses at the law. Whenever a motorcyclist is involved in an accident as shown by the gory details in the media, we are immediately torn between pity or that feeling that they deserve their fate. A motorcyclist that flaunts the law deserves every broken bone that comes with his reckless driving.

It might seem cruel and sadistic to wish someone ill but have they, the lawless motorcyclist, ever considered other road users? The law does seem powerless despite the many road blocks during the operations to apprehend the lawless motorcyclists. Wasn't there a plan to turn these motorcyclists into law abiding citizens. There were advertisements showing reformed mat rempits who made good in the legal racing circuit but I guess the thrills of the illegal races is stronger. Some might say it is just a phase the youth go through but how do you account for parents with children as pillion riders without safety helmets? That is also a reckless motorcyclist and a parent should have more sense than to endanger their children while on the road.

Safety is not the main concern for the motorcyclist but to get to their destination in the fastest way possible is the main aim. How else can we explain the zigzagging and sharp swerves in between other vehicles whenever they are on the road. A friend put it mildly that the motorcyclist must be in such a hurry to get that million dollar contract before the deadline that he is willing to sacrifice life and limb to reach that destination. Even if it involves others' life and limb too.

The reckless, lawless motorcyclist cares only about himself. As far as he is concerned, he is the king of the road, much more agile than the cars stuck in our perpetual traffic jams in the city. The ones who abide by the rules are ridiculed and mocked for being too safe and careful. Isn't it better to be safe than sorry? I shall assume that it is not the priority to the lawless motorcyclist. The thrill of beating the red traffic light, leaving behind a trail of smoke from their extensively modified machines with some reconditioned to emit the loudest noise possible is an adrenalin rush to them. I can see their point of view, these daredevils on the road, but could they ever see ours too?

Image from margeemar

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