You're Doing More Harm Than Good
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

You're Doing More Harm Than Good

Why you should stop taking pictures of car accidents

13
You're Doing More Harm Than Good
Hagood Law Firm

I grew up in a small town where everybody knew everybody. Which, of course, meant that people were always sticking their noses where they didn’t belong, which is including, but certainly not limited to, taking pictures of car accidents.

I see around five pictures of car accidents every day on my newsfeed. People posting, “I saw this on my way home from work,” “Please pray for this person and their family,” “blah blah blah.” NEWS FLASH: It’s none of your business.

Rubberneckers slowing down to take pictures of accidents are a growing concern for first responders, who are only trying to take care of the situation in front of them. These motorists are distracting them and worsening the situation.

It seems the public can’t quite understand the protocol of dealing with such a serious, possibly deadly, scene. The distraction slows the first responders down, and more often than not, causes even more accidents.

Motorists who attempt to take pictures of accidents actually put everyone at risk for a secondary collision. Emergency personnel need drivers to focus on their driving and pass the collision in a safe manner.

Not only are these motorists ignoring the safety of themselves, their passengers, and all the other drivers around them, they are also showing complete disregard for the victims and their family.

Can you imagine what you would do if you got on Facebook during your lunch break and saw a picture of your loved one’s mangled vehicle? Well, I know several people who can.

Sometimes, social media moves faster than the police. By uploading the unsolicited pictures to social media, families can find out about tragic accidents hours before the persons involved can be identified and the families can be properly contacted.

It is not your place to share those pictures. It is not your place to make the crash scene public. It is not your place to break the news to that family. Not to mention, it’s ILLEGAL.

Not only is using your cellphone while you’re operating a moving vehicle illegal, but it’s also an invasion of privacy to publicize pictures of first response personnel and accident victims without proper consent.

The one or two seconds that it takes to snap and upload a picture to social media isn’t benefiting anybody. No matter what good intentions you may have, it’s an invasion of privacy, it’s dangerous, and it’s completely disrespectful.

Put your phone down. Say a prayer to yourself. Thank God that is wasn’t you. And mind your own business.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58854
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37991
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959514
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

195441
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments