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There Is Still Time To Buckle Them Up
By Ignatius Stephen

Bandar Seri Begawan - "WAKE up? Wake up?" But the little girl lay still, not moving, limp and lifeless, "I know you are only sleeping, my precious. Don't leave us now, my love!" wailed the distressed mother.

However, the child's tiny tender little fingers were by now unclenched. Clearly life had drained out of her little body. The mother clutched her daughter's hand to her chest as if in hope to bring her beloved child back. Oh, no it cannot be. Surely this was not the end. Perhaps, the little one was only in a daze. She will come around soon. This simply cannot happen to me.

But every ounce of life had gone out from that tender body. It was hard to believe that this was the same bouncy bundle of joy who just a moment ago had stuck her head out of the moving car and had screamed in delight as the swift, cool breeze bathed her happy little face.

Outside, a multitude of lights twinkled in celebration. The populaces had emerged in masses and were out determined to enjoy themselves. The weather was clear and stars shone. What a wonderful night it was.

And their only child was joyful too. After all, it was her birthday yesterday, they had never seen her happier. And they let her do whatever she pleased. Even to the extent of putting her head out from the moving car as she waved cheerfully to the passers by. Well, as long as she was happy. There are many families here like them who are oblivious of the dire consequences in trying to snatch a moment of thrill and pleasure in the most foolish fashion.

Well, this family too was in a state of bliss up to this moment with the sound of laughter ringing in their ears.

"How lucky we are to find such peace and happiness, to savour such fun. The little one had arrived just at the right time to complete their life," thought the mother. Her partner was similarly in a state of high elation that evening. Everything seemed so perfect.

But not for long. It is, perhaps, karma that man is not allowed perfect delight and rapture for any length of time. How true that is? Because the very next moment their world came crashing down before their eyes as the young couple faced inconceivable suffering and sorrow.

And the end came all of a sudden. It was a black stray cat that crossed the road and the father stepped on the brake hard and the car came to a screeching halt. The cat was saved, however.

But where was the little girl? She had totally disappeared. She was not in the car at all. The sudden jolt had sent her flying out of the window. And there she lay on the hard pavement. She was still. She did not cry or complain and soon a large crowd gathered. Someone tried to give her assistance.

And when her heartbroken parents arrived, dazed and anguished, it was all too late. Strange, there were no visible injuries except for a little bruise on the little girl's forehead. She lay there as if in slumber.

I relate this woebegone tale now because I happened to be visiting the hospital emergency ward the other day when another young victim was wheeled in. It was a little boy and he, as you would expect, was screaming his heart out. The pain must have been excruciating.

His face was smashed in and all his teeth had fallen off. His head was a bloody mess.

"Oh, another one," the medic in charge sighed as he and his team rushed about to give speedy assistance.

That was the most harrowing experience. I have no idea what happened to the poor boy eventually. But the parents and his siblings stood around most sorrowfully. There was very little the family could do.

No doubt, it was the fault of the parents. They were as many people on Brunei roads, contemptuous of the basic road safety laws and for that, a loved and an innocent one was suffering senselessly.

"Does this happen often?" I could not help asking the medical staff later when things had cooled down a bit.

"Yes, shockingly so," replied the medical man. "People in Brunei just do not seem to realise how dangerous it is not to strap down children in moving vehicles," he said.

"And the situation is getting worse," he added sadly.

"In many Western countries there are strict laws. We have such laws but these are ignored mostly," he said.

"And the situation is getting worse," he added sadly. "In many Western countries there are strict laws. We have such laws but these are ignored mostly," he said.

And hardly had he said this, an ambulance rushed in. It was another young victim.

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