Dear Editor,
I had not yet completed digesting the sad news that businessman, Colin Ming, had suffered “severe” injuries from a traffic accident, when the more shocking news of his passing came through. As reported, the accident involved Mr. Ming’s motorcycle and an ambulance attached to the Ministry of Health, which was transporting a Covid-19 patient. While I cannot comment on the accident, the fact that it involved an ambulance, seemingly on an “emergency trip”, compelled me to write about my own experience which was somewhat similar in nature.
About two months ago, I was driving south on Camp Street, when I was caught between South Road & Croal Street and had to wait on a green light, in order to proceed. While waiting, there was the sound of a siren in the distance and I soon realized that it was coming from a speeding ambulance which had turned into Camp Street from Brickdam, heading north but in the lane for south bound traffic. Since the area was congested with traffic, I expected the driver of the ambulance to stop, or at least slow down, to give motorists a little time to get out of its way, but this did not happen. Instead, to my consternation, he kept coming straight through, eventually pulling to his right at the very last moment, and thus avoiding a head-on collision with my vehicle. He still succeeded in grazing it however, as he recklessly drove on the pavement in order to pass.
Immediately after, someone identifying himself as the ambulance driver, came over to me. He apologized for the mishap and left his phone number for me to contact him (which I did). He then explained that he had to leave, in a hurry, since he was on an emergency trip, transporting a very seriously ill patient to the hospital. Although I am fortunate to be alive, my encounter with the ambulance, reconfirmed my belief in the words of the Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho, which was also the name of a James Bond movie. He said (that) “You only live twice, once when you are born and once when you stare death in the face.” On that afternoon on Camp Street, I was experiencing my second life.
On reflection, I keep wondering what it would have taken for that ambulance driver to have waited just a few seconds or minutes, to allow the traffic to “free up” and thus reduce the threat of an accident or loss of life. I keep wondering what a calamity it would have been if pedestrians were utilizing the pavement at the time that irresponsible driver chose to drive on it. And I keep wondering when ambulance drivers will come to recognize that not because they have the “protection” of blaring sirens, honking or beeping horns or the overuse of the “emergency” word, (that ) they have the complete freedom to do as they please on our roads.
They must realise that their reckless and uncouth manner of driving endangers lives, not only of their fellow road users but also the lives of the very persons they are trying to save – their patients. As I await some answers, my condolences go out to the Ming Family. “Be Ming Strong; Be QC Strong!!!”
Sincerely,
Maurice Abraham
