Each time I hear the traffic reports, the reference to drivers exercising caution at or near an emergency scene as a “gaper’s block” irritates me to no end. The announcers seem to allude to the idea that drivers are a bunch of ghouls out there trying to get a glimpse of blood and gore associated with a traffic accident.
It couldn’t be that they’re being cautious, trying not to be the cause of further injury, could it ? What do they want one to do–drive at normal speeds past an accident without any consideration of the people involved or debris on the roadway or even risk hitting emergency personnel?
As an ex-fireman, I was always most appreciative of drivers who gave us a wide berth while we were working at the scene. So they’re a little late for their appointment and traffic gets snarled. Isn’t that better than potentially compounding one problem with another?
