When a car accident occurs in our present environment the people
involved are very dissatisfied because their car was just damaged, but what
do they do for satisfaction? If there were no witnesses they hurl accusations
at each other until the police arrive. The person who did not have the right-
of-way could possibly, in a courtroom with a clever lawyer, make the
innocent party appear guilty, in order to get his insurance company to pay
for damages. If the one who had the right-of-way was under the influence
of liquor, even though the accident was not his fault in any way, he is
already judged guilty as this offers a perfect reason for making the guilty
party appear innocent. But when an extremely serious accident occurs
where, let us say, two children and their mother were instantly killed, while
the father and the other driver were thrown clear, to assume responsibility
for this is too horrible to bear which compels them to think up a million and
one excuses as to why it was the other person’s fault.
If there were
witnesses, and both drivers know it was not the father’s responsibility, the
guilty party would welcome whatever punishment could be dished out so
that he could pay dearly for what he did; and the liability insurance
he carries just in case, helps him, in a small way to pay part of the price. If
it was the father’s fault, he might not be able to stand this terrible feeling of
guilt that he caused the death of his loved ones, and might be forced to find
some reason as to why this accident was unavoidable otherwise he could
kill himself. However, to make it possible for him to continue living, just in
case he can’t come up with a convincing reason for the accident, the law
will charge him with manslaughter and he will have to serve a prison
sentence, which he welcomes, because this also helps him to pay for what
he did. How many times, true or false, will the ability to use just these
words make someone feel so much better – “I couldn’t help myself. It was
not my fault. It was unavoidable. I’m terribly sorry.†And how many
times in the course of history have the innocent been compelled to pay the
price of the guilty, just because man was able to shift his responsibility?
To understand why all automobile accidents must come to an end, out of
absolute necessity, watch what happens when we apply our basic principle
to show you exactly what takes place in our present environment before and
after a collision, and then let you see the same accident under changed
conditions. Most people are concerned with their own safety, but under the
changed conditions they become more concerned that they are not
responsible for hurting others as that alternative which gives them greater
satisfaction. Remember, however, the new world is not yet here so we are
going to imagine the same accident which will not occur, just so we can see
why it will not. Actually, the only reason we are willing to drive carelessly
and take risks in our present environment is because when we do have an
accident, which means that when we have made a careless mistake resulting
in a hurt to others, it is possible to gain satisfaction by paying the price or
shifting responsibility. When it becomes impossible to do either, we must
do everything in our power to prevent the accident as that alternative which
is better for ourselves.