Counterflow

Few nights ago, I almost fell off my chair while switching channels watching television. What shocked me was the video of an expensive-looking dark-colored SUV counterflowing. That is when a driver crosses the double yellow line and goes to the opposite lane where he meets opposing traffic. The video showed there was a steel barrier dividing the lanes, not just a double yellow line, there was a physical barrier. I expected that no driver would miss the marker and be crazy enough to expose himself and other people to the risk of losing life and/or property until that demonstrably fearsome incident.

The counterflowing SUV hit a motorcycle, throwing its passengers onto the road. What horrified me even more was the criminal mind of the SUV driver. To me, that was discernibly manifested from his act. He demonstrated total disregard of human life and gross disrespect of another person. I would imagine that a decent chauffeur, in any similar accident, would have stopped his car and conscientiously attended to his victims. None of that sort happened. The SUV driver hurriedly left the scene.

Who was that SUV driver? That was the first question that bothered me. That driver could be a repeat offender. Counterflowing could be just the tip of his compendium of criminal offenses. His frame of mind must be that of a person accustomed to doing this kind of criminal act, even if our laws calls it negligence. What happened then was so ordinary to him it did not bother his conscience.

Second, the driver was acting upon orders of the SUV’s owner. Because it seemed to me the SUV owner was not disturbed by the crime, it was not difficult for me to surmise he had no sense of justice and responsibility. What I said above of the driver and his mind, must be that of the SUV owner and perhaps, worse. In all probability, the driver may have wanted to check on the victims, but sped away upon the instructions of his boss.

Third, the video showed two vehicles counterflowing. I believed that they were companions. So, two expensive vehicles violated traffic rules in that incident. Ordinary people would not normally travel in some kind of caravan. Having said that, I imagine the SUV owner, probably in the lead car, was an influential person. I could even say he is arrogant. He may have entertained in his thoughts that his affluence and social status was his license to disregard traffic rules.

The SUV owner could be a high government official seated in the lead vehicle and his bodyguards riding in the second car and this fact was known, albeit belatedly, to traffic and police authorities. It was obvious that when the reporters tried to get their initial findings, the words of investigators were guarded. Pressed for the possible identity of the SUV owner, their answers were so nebulous as to suggest that they were extra careful as they were dealing with a demigod.

I like to think the SUV owner has secretly attended to the needs of the victim to the level of justice. I also hope that the authorities, in faithful obedience to their duties, will give the public the correct and true information about that counterflowing incident.

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