PROLOGUE: I know this is not the right section for the topic being addressed by me. But since I could not find a suitable head for the same, I decided to write under General Tips for Safe Driving. This had to happen one day! I HAD to write about women drivers(in the Indian context). So here I go.
Hi Guys!
I would like to take up the cause of women drivers on our roads. Kindly note the following:
DRIVING EXPERTISE: I would like to inform you that we can handle the Steering Wheel and shift gears with as much dexterity as we can stir dal and roll out chapatis
READINGS ON THE DIALS: We can comprehend the readings on the dials in dash, i.e., we know what speed the car is running at; how much fuel remains in the tank; total mileage covered by the vehicle; whether the engine is heating up, cabin temperature etc. etc.
CLUTCH & BRAKE & GEARS et al : We know that the Clutch HAS to be pressed while changing gears and to prevent momentum from being broken on lower speeds. We DO NOT enjoy putting a foot on the Clutch unnecessarily(expensive time pass!). We DO NOT Brake if not required in the middle of the road. We KNOW the positioning of each Gear; and the speed we need to attain to shift to the next one
FUEL RELATED: Women play safe and refuel the vehicle before the tank empties completely on a desolate road in the middle of nowhere. We KNOW the various variants of Fuel available at the pumps
AIR PRESSURE & TYRES: We ensure the right pressure is maintained in the tyres for a better fuel efficiency and better engine life. We also ensure regular wheel alignment for longer tyre life
EXTERIORS & INTERIORS: Women are more aware of cleanliness; and our vehicles reflect the same sentiment – sparkling exteriors & spick’n’span interiors
MAINTENANCE & SERVICE: We NEVER postpone a Service and our vehicles are nurtured in a way we would nurture a relationship
BAD WOMEN DRIVERS: Are less common than Bad Men Drivers
SPEEDING: We LOVE to speed but not at the cost of being bad mannered on the road. RACING: Hmmm.can be considered occassionally.
IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT: Being invloved in a hit’n’run case is a big NO. Heavens forbid, if we are involved in an accident, we would claim full responsibility for the same and not vanish from the scene like a creep. You see, we have a consience to live with!
ROAD MANNERS: No matter how much the traffic behind us may honk, we will always let the elderly, small children and students cross the road
FLAT TYRES: I admit, we are NOT too good at it; but are learning to do this with minimal help
I would also like you guys to know that we are fully aware and know when……….
The guy in the vehicle on the left at the Stop Light has been following us for the last 15+ kms.
The Uncles & Aunties of the colony label us “fast” if we speed
The car cleaner gives us a dubious reputation in the neighbourhood since he discovered a harmless beer can in the dashboard after a picnic
The mechanic tries to con us into replacing the Clutch Plates each year saying it is a must for women drivers
The guy at the filling station tries to refuel the Vehicle with “Normal” fuel instead of “SPEED”, while charging for the latter
The local car buy / sell agent works out “ONLY FOR YOU MADAM” offers on vehicle exchange that would leave us neck deep in debt for the next 5 years
…………….the list is rather big but I will stop here. We KNOW all these and choose to feign ignorance since we just do not have the time to get into altercations every day.
So guys, grow up! Recognise us for our capabilities…DRIVING BEING ONE OF THEM.
EPILOGUE: I am not a feminist or a women’s rights activist. Just a professional who drives to and from work on the male infested roads of Delhi.