It's as stupid as the woman who sued McDonald's for serving hot coffee, but we now live in a society where people point their fingers of blame, rather than taking responsibility for their own shortcomings.
Like the parents who blame music or violent video games, when their children shoot up a movie theater or high school home room, "My child is a perfect little angel. They would never do something like that. They must have been influenced by something else." Guess what?! No!! You're just shitty parents.
This week, a couple involved in a high speed collision that left one occupant with severe brain trauma, is suing the online app, Snapchat, with having caused the fatal accident. The facts of the case, according to what I've read, so far, are this: Wentworth and Karen Maynard's Mitsubishi was struck from behind by an 18-year old, Christal McGee's car, which was travelling at a high rate of speed, exceeding 100 mph. The posted speed limit was only 55 mph. According to the plaintiff (Maynard), the teen was using the smart phone app, Snapchat's speed filter which allows the user to post a photograph illustrating their current speed. I'll address that in a moment.
According to Henry Williams, one of the three other occupants in the automobile with McGee, claims none of the quartet of teens were using the Snapchat app at the time. It's speculation on my part, but that seems a little suspicious, as he never explains why the teens were traveling at an estimated 107 mph. He does, however, point the finger at the other car. laying blame on them for "pulling out in front of them and failing to speed up". What I think, actually happened was the Maynard's merged their car onto the four-lane highway, obeying the posted speed of 55 mph, unlike McGee's car, which was traveling like a rocket ship. If the Maynard's are guilty of anything, it's that they aren't clairvoyant.
Every day that I'm behind the wheel, I glance over at the vehicle driving beside me and more times than not, the driver is staring down at their hand-held device, distracted rather than watching the road in front of them. I always wish I was a police officer in those moments, so I could pull them over and issue a hefty fine. I often think that if I was a cop, I'd lead the department in tickets issued for crimes like this and alike. There's no limit to the amount of stupidity in the world, It's something that often leaves me scratching my head. I swear I've worn a bald patch into the side of my skull.
I will grant that having the capability to read your rate of travel and posting the speed along with a self-indulgent selfie, is a pretty stupid option to offer, but I'm sure the genius' at Snapchat, never thought it's application, all they way through, when they designed this feature. Either they didn't account for the stupidity or arrogance of their users or just plain didn't care. I would agree that the app should discontinue the Speed Filter option from their program. I'm sure the sliver of those using the option responsibly, is razor thin and won't miss it if it disappears.
Like the person who gets cancer and sues the cigarette company after decades of smoking. Some responsibility and ownership of one's own stupidity has to surface. It's like someone told me once: When you point a finger (to blame), there's three more pointing back at you. Snapchat isn't to blame for causing this terrible accident. If anything, they may be guilty of contributing to the continuing negligence of our society.
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