A Palestinian security officer, top left, prevents youths from removing the wreckage of a car hit in an Israeli missile strike that killed seven Palestinians in the Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, Thursday Oct. 27, 2005. Israel killed seven Palestinians in a targeted missile strike against Islamic Jihad fugitives Thursday and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he would not meet with Mahmoud Abbas until the Palestinian leader cracks down on militants _ a double-edged Israeli response to the latest Palestinian suicide bombing. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)



Street cleaners risk lives

A drunken driver killed two street cleaners while they were sorting recyclable goods on the shoulder of the road. They were hit by a live-fish transport car driven by a heavily drunken driver in his 40s. It is absurd and pitiful that they were merely going about their regular routine.
Street cleaners are always exposed to danger on the street because it is hard for drivers to notice pedestrians at night and at dawn. As it is a dime a dozen for drivers to speed down the street during the wee hours, they often cause car accidents. It is needed that street cleaners should have some security to prevent these kinds of accidents.

The two victims are said to only be using some traffic cones while they were working on the shoulder. They didn't follow basic regulations, such as setting up reflective signs and raising a hand as a signal for directing cars. They were neither given any safety equipment, nor educated for safety. The ward office and the service agency are mainly responsible for the accident.

The ward office shouldn't pass the buck to the cleaning service agency, which takes some responsibility for the safety of street cleaners. It is a mistake for the ward office not to procure a recycling place for the street cleaners. Since the cleaning service didn't prepare a place for recycling, the street cleaners from the service had to work on the shoulder. In fact, a small cleaning service cannot afford to provide a recycling place. It is absurd that the ward office left the street cleaners working on a dangerous shoulder.

Street cleaners not only work on the street, but also do recycling work for the local residents. It is natural that the autonomous government, the cleaning service and the citizens all take part in preparing safety measures for street cleaners.
/ 입력시간: 2005. 10.29. 09:32