JULY 19 — Our roads have always been busy and congested. Particularly in big cities, traffic accidents could always be heard due to busy traffic flow, and minor accidents have even become very common in daily life. Most people involved in traffic accidents would either lodge a police report if the accident is serious or settle privately with apology and compensation if it is a minor accident. Very few people would be like the young Malay woman who reacted extremely provocative, violent and outrageous.
The woman driver’s car was hit a 67-year-old man’s car, and a minor dent — more like a scratch — was found on the rear of her car. The woman driver got off her car after the accident and screamed abuses at the old man, while hitting his car with a steering lock, and demanded that he pay her RM2,000 in compensation. She looked manic and seemed to have lost control, frightening the old man and his wife. The whole process was captured by another motorist and the video immediately went viral online, with various comments against her arrogant attitude. Her racist remark was also severely criticised, some netizens rebuked her for humiliating the Malays and the holy fasting month.
The incident brought us an important message that is worthy of pondering.
The woman driver’s reaction of losing control over a minor accident and rudely domineering over the old man has not only tarnished her personal reputation, but also reflected the failure of her family education. On the contrary, despite insulted and intimidated, the old man still decided not to press charges and instead forgive her. His forgiving heart has been greatly praised and admired. Meanwhile, criticisms against the woman driver are acceptable but excessive insults and racist remarks are actually another kind of bullying behaviour that should be stopped.
All traffic accidents should be reported to the police. Angrily screaming abuses and threatening others due to car accident, or intimidate others to pay compensation could constitute an act of bullying. From making abusive remarks to hitting the old man’s car with a steering lock, the woman driver has shown nothing but the behaviour of a road bully. The police decided to open a file to investigate the incident under Section 427 and 506 of the Penal Code. It is a necessary and proper move to avoid such undesirable demonstration from being followed by more young people.
It was initially just a minor accident but eventually evolved into a road bullying. It reflected that although road bullying cases have been reduced in recent years, road bullying behaviour still exist as we can still hear about similar incidents from time to time.
Although the Chinese community has generally disgraced the Malay woman driver’s behaviour of bullying an old man, her behaviour is actually closely related to her personal upbringing, and should not be racialised. Rampant school bullying has more or less contributed to young people’s arrogant and aggressive characters. It is a matter that must be concerned by the education sector.
The Hari Raya Festival is approaching and hopefully, all road users can stay patient, law-abiding and courteous in heavy traffics. Impulsive actions or getting angry will only cause the situation to go out of control, destroying the mood and atmosphere of returning hometowns to celebrate the festival. — mysinchew.com
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online
