I just read with horror about Phatry's moto accident:
my motodop, sophanny, was a very cautious driver. he had a helmet (i didnt) on and was not speeding. when we cross chroy changvar bridge, he was extra careful of the traffic and the limited visibility that the area is accustomed to.
we spotted the restaurant to our left. he slowed down, signaled with his lights and his left arm for a turn. while both of us looked back, a lightning flash of a moto pulverized us causing all 4 involved to fly out. i was in shock.
i fell on to the hard paved cement. initially, the adrenaline numb all the cuts and burns on my arms. i recovered my bag, a shoe that flew off my feet that now rips at the tongue, and checked around for my valuables. by this time, several dozen onlookers have congretated to the scene of the crime.
He goes on to describe his injuries:
pencil length streak on the back shows a deep blue bruised. my left leg seems worst than before. i can't put too much pressure while walking. the big cuts on my right arm is still visible but starting to regenerate itself. the left pain above my ear is still the same. i am thankful that i only escaped these cuts and sprains. in all honestly, without a helmet and the velocity in which the other moto was going, i anticipated the worst.
I remember when I was in Cambodia teaching ESL at the village school, the head of the english program arrived on his motorbike, wearing a helmet. We talked about what a good role model he was for students.
Earlier this year, I had bookmarked Jackie Chan's wear a helmet campaign that he conducted a year ago. I didn't blog about it at the time because the campaign was over. Everyday more than 3 people are killed and 100 people injured in Cambodia in traffic accidents. Most of the injuries and death could be avoided with the use of a helmet.
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Beth:
Thanks for your concern and best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'm a fighter -- and this unfortunate incident on Friday, the 13th has not deterred me. It has made me smarter and cautious. As of Sunday, I now own a helmet. -P-
Posted by: Phatry Derek Pan | January 15, 2006 at 06:02 PM