Driving my wife to a meeting earlier today, I ended up behind a transport van, part of a system in my town that provides transportation for senior citizens. On the back of the van, underneath the emergency exit door was this:
Caution! Senior citizens!
Fair enough.
I’ve also seen, quite often (always?) this on the back of buses used to transport kids:
Caution! Children!
Alright, so if you’re driving behind a van with really old people, or really young people, you should be cautious. However, does that mean, then, that if I’m behind a van or bus full of middle aged people, or perhaps people in their mid-twenties, I shouldn’t be cautious? Is it okay, then, to ram the back of the vehicle in front of me? Because there aren’t any toddlers or elders on board? Are people who are beyond the chid years, but not quite yet to the elderly years, inherently less valuable or something?
Obviously, I’m being a bit facetious here, but I think they are rather silly, those warnings. If anything, I suppose they should say Caution! Live humans on board! But can’t that be said for practically all vehicles on the road? In which case, is there really any need for signs on the back of such vehicles in the first place?
Comments 5
I figure the elderly and children need the sign because they are the folks who may not be able to remove themselves from seat belts, think extremely fast to run away from the car if it overturned, need help in an accident (getting the walker, cane or wheelchair) etc. The more I’m thinking about it though (being in my mid50’s) it does start to sound weird!
Posted 28 Jul 2007 at 9:13 pm ¶We have these stickers in Norway as well, and I’ve thought maybe the children inside should be on every car, as everybody are technically someone’s children.
As you say, you should drive safe no matter who’s inside the other car.
(This is just Kristin turning a little web identity schizophrenic.. )
Posted 29 Jul 2007 at 3:40 am ¶Cheryl: I guess I can see that, but I still think generally, you should be cautious, regardless of who’s in the vehicle ahead of you.
zhayena / Kristin: Good point! If you’re not someone’s child, well… hmm!
Posted 30 Jul 2007 at 4:10 pm ¶Don’t want to go all sensible but isn’t it because kids and old people tend to take longer to get in and out and hover/run around the vehicle?
Posted 07 Aug 2007 at 10:50 am ¶Renee: That makes some sense, but still – if a van stops in front of you, and folks are getting off of it, should people not stop and be cautious, if young adults are unloading, as opposed to kids or old people?
Ultimately, regardless of who’s getting in or off, or who’s riding within, folks should be cautious while driving. That’s why I think the notices are just kind of silly.
That isn’t to say, however, that I don’t see your point. I do.
Posted 07 Aug 2007 at 11:32 am ¶