Civic Spirit is Still Alive

It’s rare for me to see something that instills the feeling that people are able to act for the greater good of the community. People tend to be in their own worlds, unaware of other people. Rudeness and self-centeredness are too common for my taste. Of course, these are just my opinions and my experience.

And nowhere is this problem more of an issue than on the road. Distracted, aggressive, and otherwise just obnoxious driving is as big a problem as we have out there. But I saw something the other day that makes me feel better about my fellow man—and roadmates.

I watched as everyone pulled over and got out of the way of a fire truck. A mundane act, sure. At that moment, however, it struck me that we all realize the importance of a fire truck (or ambulance) on its way to help someone. And while it may be the law to pull over, I don’t think that’s the motivating factor. Traffic laws don’t seem to make much of a difference in the way people drive. We’ve all seen drivers ignore flashing school bus lights, not change lanes when a police officer has someone pulled over, and well, just name it and we’ve all seen it.

To me, yielding to a fire truck is the good in people shining through. It’s that deep down feeling that the brave men and women on that truck are on a mission to save someone, to help a family save its house, or to rescue a beloved family pet. And it’s the realization that one day we may be on receiving end of those lights and sirens.

Maybe it’s just me, but while I was on the shoulder watching the red fire truck approach and then soar by, I just smiled at all these other drivers who naturally made way for it. It left me with a good feeling and made me proud of who we are and who we can be. Let’s hope it is contagious.