Accidents Waiting to Happen

While riding on the rickshaw one night heading back to JU, the rickshaw in front of us stopped short. We bumped into it. The rickshaw behind us bumped into ours. Other than the small jolts, I thought nothing of it, until I looked behind me and saw a girl flying through the air. On the rickshaw behind us a girl of probably about 7 had been sitting on the laps of her mother and another woman. The jolt caused her to be thrown from the rickshaw into the street. We were on a small side street with very little traffic, thank goodness. She started crying. A man from the store we were in front of came out and helped her up and onto a bench. She seemed to be fine, just shaken up. But I don’t really know because during this the rickshaw in front of us started moving and we were back on our way.

It was a jolting reality check of how dangerous things are. The rickshaws are the environmentally friendly option when it comes to local transportation. And with traffic and all the people they are sometimes the only choice. But they are flimsy structures that provide no protection in case of an accident. And forget about seat belts, most of the cars I was in did not even have seat belts in the back seat. Everyone also bikes, but no one wear’s helmets. There are motorcycles everywhere, and only some people wearing helmets. I can’t help but think about how dangerous that is for the riders. The small accident I witnessed was a shocking reality that it does not take much force to have a real impact and for the potential for real harm to occur. But don't worry, mom, I'm fine.