dThis post is prompted by reading this article on another blog. In summary, traffic on a major motorway slowed to an almost standstill due to an accident. Except the traffic in question was going in the opposite direction and the slowing down was caused by people trying to photograph/film the incident. Those that have been identified have been sent warning notices by the police.
I think this is shocking. Firstly (and less seriously out of my two points) people are escaping punishment for serious traffic offences. Police (correctly) usually take a pretty dim view of using a mobile phone while driving. I realise to track down and ticket all the offenders would be a big administrative headache but I still think it's worth doing. For some reason, lots of people I know seem to think this bit of legislation applies to everyone but them (go on, admit it. You've had a sneaky look at your phone when caught in traffic or something similar) so maybe it's time to show them that it's for everyone. And that's overlooking the potential offences of dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention. Yes, the vehicles might be going slowly but there's still potential for a lot of damage to people and property.
Secondly, I can't stand this voyeurism. Yes, seeing all the flashing lights and brightly coloured vehicles is exciting and arouses most people's curiosity however that doesn't change the fact that they are there because other people may be seriously injured, dead or dying. The suffering of others is NOT a spectator sport. Keep going, there is something to see but ultimately; it's none of your fucking business so jog on. How would you like it if you had bits of yourself spread all over a road surface and people stopped to reel off a few happy snaps. Yeah, doesn't sound too good now. The obvious exception is if you're one of the first on scene and you're actually doing something useful. For the record, that doesn't always mean wading in and doing what you saw on Casualty at the weekend. Securing the scene is an incredibly useful contribution and one often overlooked. If in doubt, make sure there is a car further up the road blocking the carriageway (with someone to explain to other motorists what is happening if it's safe to do so), make sure the ignition is turned off, any fluid spillage is identified and that everyone who doesn't absolutely have to be is a decent distance away (especially anybody on their phones). Do that and you're significantly reducing the chance of further injury to any casualties and preventing anyone else from getting injured. Not terribly dramatic but very worth while.
I encounter a lot of it when out on duty with St. John. I remember once having a conversation into my radio only to have some random come up to me and ask what was happening. Naturally she was met with a polite, if intentionally obstructive response ("Nothing to worry about" I think were my exact words but don't quote me). I really wanted to tell her to get her nose out but that was a bit far for a first response (especially as the conversation in question was updating a colleague on a concession that was giving out free ice-cold cans of juice to us and the police on a blisteringly hot day). For some reason, people think nothing of stopping for a good old stare at our mobile hospitals and don't take too kindly to being asked to move on (or another favourite trick of me standing in front of their cameras and obstructing them until they move). Being treated on the roadside or in a tent is bad enough: please don't make it worse by making it into street theatre.
Sadly, it's not just bystanders that are guilty of this. I have been treating people who are fairly unwell or recovering from being in a pretty poor state who think nothing of copping an eye-full of the person next to them being treated. I usually take this as a sign that they no longer need to be in the majors tent and shift them outside. Fortunately, if they ask what's wrong I have the rather neat response, "I have no idea, you're my priority at the moment but I can assure you they're being well looked after." Therefore telling them absolutely nothing while saying a lot.
I know our mobile treatment centres aren't ideally suited to privacy. Their purpose is to treat and discharge minor injuries and stabilise major ones as much as possible while procuring further treatment. That doesn't mean to say that we shouldn't do our utmost to handle everyone with as much dignity as possible. They are people at the end of the day and they didn't set out to need our services.
The worst bit is, most of the time when people stop and stare, it's not out of a sense of concern for the victim(s), it's to gratify their desire to be disgusted. To point and go "Yuck!" or something similar. It's the same instinct that makes people tune into ghastly programmes like 'Embarrassing Teenage Pimples' or 'Genitals from Hell' (fictional names to protect the guilty). It may all be dressed up as promoting health education but is it really? Or is it a freak show where people are entertained and shocked by the ailments of others? If you really want to increase your knowledge and awareness of health complaints there are plenty good books out there which would provide a good start. I'm not wholly opposed to the idea of using television as a medium for educating people about various health issues. It's certainly a good way of doing so passively given picking up a book can be a bit of a daunting task. However my problem is with the sensationalist way it's done, usually with the "patient" looking uncomfortable, embarrassed and humiliated with loud pop music and a shouty voice-over in the background.
Right, that's enough of a rant.
JR
I think this is shocking. Firstly (and less seriously out of my two points) people are escaping punishment for serious traffic offences. Police (correctly) usually take a pretty dim view of using a mobile phone while driving. I realise to track down and ticket all the offenders would be a big administrative headache but I still think it's worth doing. For some reason, lots of people I know seem to think this bit of legislation applies to everyone but them (go on, admit it. You've had a sneaky look at your phone when caught in traffic or something similar) so maybe it's time to show them that it's for everyone. And that's overlooking the potential offences of dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention. Yes, the vehicles might be going slowly but there's still potential for a lot of damage to people and property.
Secondly, I can't stand this voyeurism. Yes, seeing all the flashing lights and brightly coloured vehicles is exciting and arouses most people's curiosity however that doesn't change the fact that they are there because other people may be seriously injured, dead or dying. The suffering of others is NOT a spectator sport. Keep going, there is something to see but ultimately; it's none of your fucking business so jog on. How would you like it if you had bits of yourself spread all over a road surface and people stopped to reel off a few happy snaps. Yeah, doesn't sound too good now. The obvious exception is if you're one of the first on scene and you're actually doing something useful. For the record, that doesn't always mean wading in and doing what you saw on Casualty at the weekend. Securing the scene is an incredibly useful contribution and one often overlooked. If in doubt, make sure there is a car further up the road blocking the carriageway (with someone to explain to other motorists what is happening if it's safe to do so), make sure the ignition is turned off, any fluid spillage is identified and that everyone who doesn't absolutely have to be is a decent distance away (especially anybody on their phones). Do that and you're significantly reducing the chance of further injury to any casualties and preventing anyone else from getting injured. Not terribly dramatic but very worth while.
I encounter a lot of it when out on duty with St. John. I remember once having a conversation into my radio only to have some random come up to me and ask what was happening. Naturally she was met with a polite, if intentionally obstructive response ("Nothing to worry about" I think were my exact words but don't quote me). I really wanted to tell her to get her nose out but that was a bit far for a first response (especially as the conversation in question was updating a colleague on a concession that was giving out free ice-cold cans of juice to us and the police on a blisteringly hot day). For some reason, people think nothing of stopping for a good old stare at our mobile hospitals and don't take too kindly to being asked to move on (or another favourite trick of me standing in front of their cameras and obstructing them until they move). Being treated on the roadside or in a tent is bad enough: please don't make it worse by making it into street theatre.
Sadly, it's not just bystanders that are guilty of this. I have been treating people who are fairly unwell or recovering from being in a pretty poor state who think nothing of copping an eye-full of the person next to them being treated. I usually take this as a sign that they no longer need to be in the majors tent and shift them outside. Fortunately, if they ask what's wrong I have the rather neat response, "I have no idea, you're my priority at the moment but I can assure you they're being well looked after." Therefore telling them absolutely nothing while saying a lot.
I know our mobile treatment centres aren't ideally suited to privacy. Their purpose is to treat and discharge minor injuries and stabilise major ones as much as possible while procuring further treatment. That doesn't mean to say that we shouldn't do our utmost to handle everyone with as much dignity as possible. They are people at the end of the day and they didn't set out to need our services.
The worst bit is, most of the time when people stop and stare, it's not out of a sense of concern for the victim(s), it's to gratify their desire to be disgusted. To point and go "Yuck!" or something similar. It's the same instinct that makes people tune into ghastly programmes like 'Embarrassing Teenage Pimples' or 'Genitals from Hell' (fictional names to protect the guilty). It may all be dressed up as promoting health education but is it really? Or is it a freak show where people are entertained and shocked by the ailments of others? If you really want to increase your knowledge and awareness of health complaints there are plenty good books out there which would provide a good start. I'm not wholly opposed to the idea of using television as a medium for educating people about various health issues. It's certainly a good way of doing so passively given picking up a book can be a bit of a daunting task. However my problem is with the sensationalist way it's done, usually with the "patient" looking uncomfortable, embarrassed and humiliated with loud pop music and a shouty voice-over in the background.
Right, that's enough of a rant.
JR
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