Confessions of a She-Driver

Driving on Karachi streets among crawling rickshaws, knick-knack black cabs, stupendous trawlers and tankers is huh, not at all an easy task. And oops! If you are one of the females on a steering wheel, try to ignore that it’s a mans world - on the street too. Your gender is a cause of serious annoyance for the male drivers around you. And if you are an aggressive type and do also know how to overtake him then you are in for some serious trouble.

Following are my experiences and some strategies to deal with the the honking stewards -

• Forget the myth; the driver should see the rear mirror every 20 seconds or so. My experience says; it’s a waste of energy. Concentrate ahead and follow the spaces, like filling the gaps. Use the rear mirror only when you feel a bump and realize that your car is being hit by a fast moving Tanker on a signal or while over-taking.

• If you are a girl with ‘L’ (Learner) sign on car, don’t wear that miserable and tentative look. Oh, ladies, please learn to be confident! I have noticed that women while driving look too nervous and make faces like meek dolls - big NO NO. Stay relaxed. After all it’s just a car and you are otherwise more powerful than men!

• It’s always easier to race down in the fastest lane rather than trailing a slow moving Mini-Bus. I have noticed several times that ladies get trapped behind the mighty bus. I wonder why women become silly as soon as they start peddling the car. Fastest lane [well, practically we don’t have fast and slow lanes] but well the right lane is the one for "fastest traffic" as there are no turns and exits usually - So ladies, Dare to be fast!

• There is this pathetic syndrome in men drivers to stick the vehicle with the bumper of next one. I can’t figure out whether it’s some insecurity or are they in a hurry, but couldn’t found any verifiable clue. Well, it’s always a sane practice to keep a distance, but you would experience once or twice an idiot will try to fix his car in between but pleaseeee don’t follow them. Make your own rules!

• For me, speed is the limit; I love to do over-takings and roughing toughing on street. But well if you are another wannabe performer; keep your tyres and breaks in perfect shape. As they could make or break your position.

• Driving casues tanning and even sun-burn on hands and forehead, the Sun will affect you no matter how good your AC works. So, an advice for the beauty conscious; keep the Sun-Block and face puff with you. Also place a mirror behind the shade above the driving seat as driving in summer will leave you sweaty with heat and humidity.

• This is the most common problem in all females. If we do something wrong, we women accept our mistakes. Well, when you are driving, nix this habit. Don’t wear that miserable and guilty look as if you have done a blunder or made a mistake. It is all about making a wrong look right.

• Be aggressive, take risks and look confident. Driving will become fun and it will increase your control. But as one of the messages on the street says Speed Thrills, But Kills. So be careful!

• Break the limit of seconds between two adjacent signals with a rush. It’s a freaky habit and thrill to practice. This is very useful if you want to save yourself from traffic blues. All you need to do is double the speed of your car but be careful as the stunt could be severe in heavy rush. I sometimes try to follow another speedy car; this strategy sometimes works but well why I should follow. You follow my trail!

• Don’t bag your car behind a Rikshaw, tanker or mini-bus otherwise you will get old with the snail-pace trolling.

• Don’t try to move infront of the chauvinistic Black cab wallas because they can give you a headache with loud horns or try to hit on the bumper of your precious car. There cabs have a heavy-duty chassis that withstands even a strongest blow. Beware, these guys are so cranky that they would insert their cab in tiny space through hook or crook. If your car is precious, stay away from these stinking rats!!

• There is one more strategy that works, play the stereo with maximum volume, the front car will automatically gave you place thinking you are the mighty crusade and could crush his car in one go. Hehe!

• And well last but not the least, beware of the road psychos present on the streets in abundance. Whenever you plan to break the law, first ensure that there are no golf-balls (traffic cops with white helmets) ahead. You can mostly see them victimizing a poor biker on the side and even the middle of the roads. Remember, even if they catch you they wouldnt know how to write up a "Challan" and you should anyway ask for it as the money goes to the poor givernment and not to them!

• Being a fantastic driver is no dream. The answer is in continuous practice. Remain confident, put up a good show and you are on it. All the best.

Good luck driving!