I suspected as much. I'm one of those socialist Europeans.

I don't know who "we" are in your context, but strongly suspect my "we" is not the same.

I don't need either. We have a working health care system. My comment was about people having compassion outside their "circle".

I sincerely hope and believe you're wrong. Sure, there grades, but I don't think there absence of compassion outside our circles.

Nobody with a little bit of compassion laughs at stories like this. People read this with a bit of incredulity and a lot of compassion. We might make fun of Americans at times, but there's no humour here.

Doubtful, why just shield one direction of traffic if so?

That would only be effective for blocking access to the lanes in the other direction, these are mounted in the middle of the motorway, not at the edges. But I think the high beam shield is perfectly reasonable as explanation.

Ow. That kind of hurts, even if I don't drive a motorcycle these days

Now imagine crash barriers made of steel wire. I don't know if they are still used in new projects, but there plenty of them around and a reason they were called cheese slicers.

Edit: I had to look it up and it seems these barriers are being or have been removed: https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/wire-rope-barriers-removed/

There's two opposing lanes of traffic on the other side if the barrier, I assure you. Cyprus drives on the left side of the road.

Oh, that's the purpose? I don't think I'd ever guessed. Thank you.

I feel my stubborn tendencies is in sync with the digging of heals. Some people deserve a virtual slap for being selfish little gits.