blinky – “This is such an important concept-a friend was driving and a child just ran in front of her car. She braked and just missed hitting him. Shaken, she saw the kids mother on the porch talking on a cell phone. She told the mother that she almost hit her kid. The mother barely glanced up and mumbled, “oh whatever” or something like that. She had to drive over to a corner to stop her from shaking with fear and anger-toward this irresponsible mother. She said she felt like calling in authorities right than and there.”
I believe that case would definitely qualify for the “reading of the riot act” that was mentioned before. Your friend should have pointed out (nicely, of course) that this is a extremely risky thing to do, and that this mother was playing russian roulette with her child just so she could talk on the phone!!
In general, there is a mitzvah of “hochaich tocheach es amisecha” – you shall rebuke my people. If you see somebody doing something wrong and/or dangerous, say something to them!