January 27, late Monday night. Dark, wet, fog covered the ground. The clock shows almost 7 p.m. After a long day at work, I finally drive home. I drive on Taikos Street, turn halfway around the roundabout, then roll around the detour. The feeling that one is rolling around the city alone, apparently everyone is already comfortably spending the evening in their warm home. I'm in a hurry too. But at an urgent speed. I always feel a very strong sense of self-protection, both when driving and transporting a dog, and when walking through a crossing. I love myself, my loved ones. I love life.
Road visibility is almost zero. Blinking in his eyes, apparently from fatigue. But no. The light flashed in his eyes once, shining again from afar, going out and approaching again. Driving all the way around, I counted 13 lights to Vytauto Street. These are people. Dressed in illuminated vests, wearing reflectors on both hands, illuminating with flashlights. Traveling somewhere, going fast, but feeling so timid. Mosquitoing vigorously with those shining hands, lest, God forbid, be overlooked.
For the first time on this path, I see so many people who have finally started to care for themselves. But because of that, someone had to die...
Only a few candles placed on the sidewalk now remind us of the painful event of January 21 on Topolių Street. In this place, a woman was hit by a crashed car. Another is injured. I can't defend either side. I wasn’t, I didn’t see, I don't know. As far as I read in the press, the women did not go through the crossing, there were no reflectors.
Still, maybe I’ll be a little biased because I represent the drivers myself, but sometimes I want to scream. People, where is your consciousness? Do you love yourself like that? Are you tired of living?
Shame? Looks funny? What can be a shame to put on reflectors or a safety vest? Then I see - women put reflectors on the handbag. Va it looks really funny. That reflector is worthless. He is completely invisible. The handbag is turned to the other side, snug against the side. Who then has that reflector? Believe me, as the responsible driver says - you really can't see you!
You jump into the crossings without even looking around, you ride your bike to the crossing without stopping when you have to get off and ride your bike. You walk to the curbs dressed in mourning clothes and imagine the driver will always notice you. And what happens when you don’t notice? The culprit driver?
The Kolkata bypass pedestrians seem to have become more conscious, feeling an instinct for self-protection. But for how long? Is it until candles reminiscent of a painful event are lit in Topolių Street? Is it longer?
Don't you have to die on other streets to start thinking? Love yourself. Start thinking now. Travel safely.
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