Now I have definitely seen everything!

This past week I was in Javea, a large seaside Mediterranean town which is famous for ex-pat living. It has a wonderful beach community and an important port. There are so many different nationalities living there as to form a real melting pot of humanity.

I was there on Wednesday, a really hot day with brilliant sunshine but also with a lovely cooling breeze. I was sitting under the shade of a terrace having a BLT sandwich and a cooling drink when I looked up and was struck by the ultimate in lunacy.

A young man who was evidently born with not so much as one iota of brains went riding his scooter along the major avenue allowing the bike to steer itself as he held his mobile in both hands while he sent text messages. This meant that not only was he not controlling the bike, he wasn't even watching where he was going.

The offense of which he was guilty was "Conducting a vehicle without due care and attention." He was on his way to perhaps knock down a pedestrian, or to run into another motorcycle, or to crash into a car or truck. In the process he would likely harm himself or even die in the crash he would cause.

I know that being young also usually means one's intellect is not fully developed, but this was taking things over the top. Addiction to mobiles is a modern problem that is totally out of control. I recognise how it starts and I know that you have to fight against it. Young people don't seem to have the strength as it just takes them and they become totally caught up in the wonder of that powerful instrument.

The irony is that in this modern world of ours we need to be aware of what is going on around us more than ever. People have been simply going about their business only to become victims of terrorist strikes by being deliberately run down by trucks and cars. To be absorbed in your mobile to the exclusion of what is taking place around you is a recipe for disaster. Some people have actually walked into their own deaths because they were unaware of oncoming traffic.

To deliberately relinquish control of your motor vehicle for the purpose of texting while in motion is taking stupidity to a new level and cannot end well. In the world of young people if one person is seen doing it others will follow just because it's so stupid.

I suppose we will have to be patient while it plays itself out. There will be death and injury but although we can try to counsel young people they will not listen and heed the advice of us old fogies. We will just have to wait and see.

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael