Let's Be Careful Out There

I saw a collision on my way to school today. (They're not called "accidents", as that implies no one is at fault.) This goes way beyond that time in high school when I was walking home, heard a screech and a crunching sound (in that order), then looked over and saw the two smashed cars. This time around, I had a front-row seat.

It had been raining, and the pavement was wet - that's important. I drove up to an intersection, braking as I went, figuring that I wouldn't be able to catch the light (it had already turned yellow when I was still some distance away). The (first) car across the intersection from me pulled forward, doing a left turn. To my left, a (second) car came forward (I don't want to say "barreling", but they were going faster than they should have been) with noticeable speed, and rammed into the side of the first car. The two cars skidded on the wet pavement, striking a third car that was 90 degrees to my right.

The whole thing seemed to take place in real time, slow motion, and fast forward all at the same time.

I was stunned and scared and not sure what to do. For maybe half a minute, I just sat there. I watched as the first car was driven several feet away, and parked at the side of the road, probably for a damage check.When I looked up, I had the green light. This spooked me into action. In the rearview mirror, other vehicles were approaching, though they were still maybe a block away. I pulled forward slowly, carefully, turning right and slipping between the first and third cars. Figuratively speaking, I ran.

Sometimes, there are times when there are no right choices, just lots of wrong ones, and you've got to pick one and stick with it. This felt like one of those times, and I felt like I had picked one of the more wrong choices.

I was scared.

I was scared and ran away. I didn't know what to do. I was worried about being on time for my first class (our teacher is a bit of a stickler - not too severe, but he will call people out for being late). Looking back, I could have, should have, done something. Checking that the drivers were okay. Summoning campus security to the scene. Giving my statement as a witness.

Something.

Why are people always in such a hurry? Does it ever occur to people that speed limits are there for a reason? That's the speed this section of roadway was designed with in mind, and even then, only under ideal circumstances (good visibility, dry pavement, during the day). For anything else, you should be reducing your speed. Wet pavement only provides about half the friction dry pavement does. Meaning you need to start braking earlier, in order to safely come to a full stop.

What is the hurry?

Is it really so unreasonable to be careful?