Orangeous Dailies

As drivers, we’re used to seeing pedestrians jaywalk all the time. They cross half of the road, stand at the center divider waiting for the car to pass, before crossing the other half. We have no issue with that, just as long the pedestrian has common sense to cross the road quickly or wait for us to pass.

This evening, I was sending Jessie home. There was a slight drizzle a while ago, so the roads were pretty wet.

We were traveling along Tampines Street 11. An old man was standing at the center divider. He was looking in my direction and it was clear that he saw my car coming. No other non-suicidal pedestrian would cross the road at this point of time and I did not expect him to cross.

I was so wrong.

He had absolutely no sense of urgency and strolled (yes, strolled) across the road right in front of my car. I was only traveling at 30 km/h, so instead of swerving and avoiding him, I slammed on my brakes. And I forgot that I was driving an old car powered by ancient technology.

The steering wheel locked up and the car skidded along the wet road. I freaking froze! Jessie froze as well. The car stopped just short of the old man, inches away from hitting him.

He glared at us angrily. He had absolutely no idea that he was so close to seeing his parents today.

I wound down the window and yelled at him at the top of my voice.

He is the craziest pedestrian I have ever met and I have never come this close to hitting someone with my car. He may be able to pull this stunt off today, but I guarantee you that this idiot’s luck will run out one day and he’ll be dead in no time.