Walking from the Champs Elysees to the Port Alexandre III, I witnessed a traffic accident.

An unfortunate Paris commuter — he looked about 55; wore a suit and tie; and was obviously just trying to get home — rear-ended a police van. The van contained at least 8 members of the French National Police force who were on their way, well, somewhere.

The sidewalk was flocked with tourists like me, and the laughter as a result of the collision sounded like the inside of a comedy club.

Good news — they didn’t haul the motorist away in cuffs. Bad news — they didn’t haul the motorist away in cuffs.