By placing the title Woman Driver distinctly in quotes, I do not aim to segregate us from the rest of the driving community. How different or difficult is it for a woman to learn to drive and take that learning to the street in our country? The feminine power is now fueling space shuttles, aircrafts, racetracks, tractors, taxis and the humble car. In an era where women are redefining boundaries and in many ways re-inventing the wheel, is there a unique story to her journey behind the wheel?
We see more women drivers on street now than ever before. Driving is a life skill. It has become an essential skill in modern living economics. Driving has empowered women to own her time and thus easing her multi-tasking role. It has become an extension of her sense of freedom, enabling her to create her own journey.
Nothing prepares you for the challenges met while driving on Indian roads. Irate drivers, errant drivers, pedestrians, animals, trucks and buses, bumper-to-bumper traffic, disregard for the law and lane discipline and list goes on. ‘Women Drivers’ have something unique to face. Even the worst male driver presumes he is better than a ‘Woman Driver.’ ‘Lady Driver’ is a common man’s tag, used to set us apart from the rest of the driving community. The bias has a significant cultural and social influence. However, it never fails to amaze me how things stand unchanged at the grass root. Each time I am in a taxi and a car upfront stalls, is slower than most, flashes a nice red L – the first comment I hear is ‘must be a lady driver’. I have known many who keep a safe distance when they see a feminine form at the wheel. In addition, if an unfortunate incident occurs and one of the involved parties is a woman driver, the jury of crowd has reached its verdict. The elderly come close second. The judgmental stares will drown your voice. You need to be strong enough and loud enough to hold your ground.
I am not discounting the skilled women drivers on the road. Most woman drivers I know own the wheel they drive. Almost all uphold the law and certainly all of them are the safest drivers on road. It, however, does not change the perception of the common driving man.
I decided I have sat in the back seat long enough. Being at the wheel was like having wings on road. I wanted to fly. I wanted to create memories of unexpected journeys. I wanted to relish in the joy of the expected ones. I wanted the best seat during its creation. I wanted the driver’s seat.
My dear friend who is an avid racer took it upon himself to teach me. His passion extended beyond the love to drive and translated into my learning. It gave me the courage to err. To not fear speed. To embrace the freedom with responsibility and delight. He made sure I knew not just what the machine does, but how and why. I began to appreciate the machine beyond its science. The shifting of gears sounded musical, the symphony of accelerator, brakes and clutch kept me in rapt attention. The humble car had transformed from a mere metal frame with wheels to a constant companion as I ventured onto known and lesser known paths.
The day finally came when I walked into the Transport Department for the driving test. The procedural bureaucracy did not recognise the enthusiasm with which I appeared for the test. I do believe the sense of caution heightened as the Inspector walked up to me. His first words were “Don’t stall more than thrice, I will have to reject your application.” It surprised him that in a short crowded testing street, I rolled the car in all five gears. Post few other manoeuver tests, he cautioned me on speed. I invited him to witness my drift skills. He smiled and stamped green.
For me, the Driving License is beyond a number. As I hold that very important document, I am reminded of my power and responsibility that comes with it. It is a life long relationship with my machine. And it shall be a part of many life stories, of many memories. This license has taken me on travels, small and big, expected and unexpected. From the bustle of crowded by-lanes to the quiet of the jungle. It has cruised the hairpin bends of the mountains as it did the long unending highways, soaking in the rain and soaring when sun shined. Three road trips covering 3000 kms, three unique cars and one drift session, the learning that started in April 2015 has changed my life for I have the best seat when creating memories. I am in the driver’s seat.
Image courtesy: Shutterstock
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