A Lesson in Civility
It sounded bad. According to the initial report, a truck had run down a bicyclist near Quincy Market. An eighteen-wheeler, someone else said. I wondered if we’d find the patient alive or dead. The last time I responded to a similar collision at this location, the bicyclist—a messenger—was dead, his head crushed by the truck’s rear wheels.
This time, the bicyclist was more fortunate. He hadn’t been struck at all. He’d been peddling behind the truck, and when it suddenly turned, his handlebar became tangled in the truck’s undercarriage. He’d flown over the handlebars, landing on his head. Aside from a cut on his face and some scrapes on his palms and knees, he’d suffered no injuries. He’d never even lost consciousness.
My partner retrieved the immobilization equipment. The patient cooperated fully as we applied a cervical collar and strapped him to the board. Soon we had him in the back of the ambulance. He’d go to the hospital for some x-rays and perhaps a tetanus shot, and then he would go home.
Outside, the driver of the truck wasn’t faring as well. Asked to produce his driver’s license by a state trooper, he muttered, “The fuckin’ guy. I should have just run him over.”
This was a mistake.
The trooper, who was built like an NFL linebacker, instantly pegged the driver as a troublemaker. “We live in a civilized society!” the trooper boomed. “There are no fucking guys around here! Do you hear me?”
That the trooper would react this way surprised me. It surprised the truck driver even more. “Uh, yeah,” he replied meekly. “I mean, yes sir. Sorry.”
The trooper then noticed that the driver was leaning against his cruiser. “Get off my car!” he shouted. “And give me that license. Now!”
The driver rummaged through his pockets. His hands trembled. He produced the license, but not without significant embarrassment.
I couldn’t help smiling as we drove off to the hospital. It was a silly incident, and I doubt the encounter had any meaningful effect on the driver. Even so, I was glad to see it happen. Too often in this city, rude behavior goes unchecked.
But not this time.
posted by TS @ 1:14 AM
8 Comments:
Too bad that the driver didn't have any outstanding warrants for arrest!!
We need more police officers like this one.
I think the biker was stupid for trying to ride the draft the truck was making. a number of people die trying to pull this stunt. most often, truckers are ass holes and think they are king of the road. Glad that cop put him in his place!
I think that police officer must have been raised in the South - manners are right up there with abidin' by the law!
Cops sounds like the asshole to me. You talk of respect and manners, but I don't see any of that in the interaction described.
All I see is anger fear and stupidity. Clearly someone was hurt, someone was probably even at fault, but an officer jumping to conclusions and bullying doesn't make the driver any more at fault.
Great blog, I read it all the time.
Thnks
i'm wondering what "conclusions" you think the trooper jumped to?
Allow me to consult my "Jump to Conclusions" Mat!
I think both of you make good points.
In referencing the trooper's "conclusions," I think, the first Anonymous was suggesting that the trooper made an assumption that the driver had been at fault--an assumption that had not yet been established.
I can understand why some people (or, at least one person) would take issue with the trooper's response. Perhaps it was a bit of an overreaction. I kind of liked it, though, if only because so few people speak out these days when somebody makes a mean-spirited comment like the one made by the truck driver.
Post a Comment
<< Home