I’m sure IWBU, but this has been niggling at me so I thought I’d post.
On Sunday morning I was driving my DD to a sports club. We came across quite a nasty road accident that had clearly only just happened. I could see 2 cars had been involved, and three other motorists had stopped. One was with the driver of car 1, who was sitting on the side of the road and did look injured. Another motorist was on the phone, presumably to the emergency services, and there was someone else with the driver of car 2 who was still in the car.
There was a car in front of me and two behind. We all had to slow down considerably to pick our way around the debris but none of us stopped. About a minute down the road, a police car came past with sirens and lights heading back towards the accident, and then an ambulance and a fire engine.
I carried on to DDs sports club, trying to answer her questions about “all that blood on that man” and not worry her too much.
Whilst DD does her sport, I sit and have a coffee and a chat with 3 other mums. I told them about the accident, as it was really quite a shocking thing to see.
One of the mum’s immediately got agitated and said she couldn’t believe I didn’t stop and she didn’t think I was “that sort of person”. She said there’s no way she could have driven on, and how heartless I clearly am. She said those “poor drivers have had their lives turned upside down” whilst I “rubbernecked” at their distress and did nothing to help.
I said again that 3 other motorists had stopped to help and clearly the emergency services were on their way. I hadn’t actually seen the accident happen so couldn’t help the police with that. I also have no medical training whatsoever (I’m an accountant!) so there was nothing practical I could do. DD aged 4 was also in the car, so couldn’t leave her on the own whilst I tried to “help” and couldn’t exactly let her tag along either. I made it clear there was obviously nothing I could have done and it wouldn’t have been right for me to stop.
I was really quite surprised by the ferocity of her reaction. I think I could have written that off, but the other 2 mums just sat there silently and occasionally nodded along. Neither said anything to suggest they agreed with me or to calm mum 1 down and I think that’s why it’s niggling. Would you have stopped in thrice circumstances?
I am a bit worried it’s going to be awkward next week, but DD loves the club so I won’t be stopping going. It’s just a shame because I actually did enjoy the coffee and the chat! I might just take a book next week and give the mums a serve!
what do you think?