A matter of justice?

I was preparing to drive off after the lights turned green at a major road junction. As usual some drivers from the opposite direction sped past to make sure they could skip waiting for the next green light

A cyclist came after these cars, attempting to do the same. The car on my left moved forward and I heard a bang. Fortunately the cyclist escaped injury.

If there was injury or death, one could say it was mainly the cyclist's fault because he rashly ran the red light. This seemed obvious, or is it?

There is much to be said with many social constructs guiding my cognitive process. For example:

• The cyclist broke the law and thus was in the wrong, endangering others and himself in the process. 
• The cyclist was rash and did not consider how vulnerable he is against a moving car.
• This is a law abiding country which makes life efficient and safe for all.
• The driver should have given way since he was at no risk from danger to himself.
• The driver should have been more compassionate knowing the cyclist is at higher risk of injury and death.
• Laws make life easier for all but laws can be flexible to accomodate human mistakes.

How easily I ended up analysing and evaluating what happened and comparing the cyclist with the driver, and even with myself and society.

We should practice so that we can see, Muslims as Hindus and Hindus as Muslims. We should practice so that we can see Israelis as Palestinians and Palestinians as Israelis. We should practice until we can see that each person is us, that we are not separate from others. This will greatly reduce our suffering.

 -- Thich Nhat Hanh
 

To keep ourselves and others safe, here are two gathas for driving:

Before starting the car

I know where I am going.

The car and I are one,

if the car goes fast, I go fast.

This car is my legs.
It goes where I choose.
When I drive with awareness,
Everyone lives in safety.