Woman Behind The Wheels

“DRIVING OPENS THE DOOR OF INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM, NO ASKING FOR A RIDE”

LIVE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

Women are permitted to drive in all nations across the world. However, in casual conversations with family and friends, I often hear stereotypical jokes about how women are bad drivers. People often say that women don’t know how to park, can’t drive on highways, and are prone to accidents. People get a rush from putting others down and don’t miss any opportunity to do so. I have many independent friends who are professionals, but when it comes to driving, they rely on their spouses or hire a driver. The men and women in the family believe that women should always drive smaller cars because managing a big vehicle in traffic and parking can be difficult. However, I need help understanding this reasoning. Women can run households, raise kids, and run businesses, so why can’t they handle driving a car? Reaction and perception times are the critical parameters in driving that people should be concerned about, and both men and women have similar abilities in these areas.

DISPLAY EQUALITY IN THE SIZE OF THE CAR:

Men often believe they should drive a big sedan or SUV to display their status, while women are content with hatchbacks and small cars. This creates a visible status difference within the family. But status shouldn’t be the focus; displaying respect and value for each other is crucial. They even forget that this is going to impact young minds. It can break their confidence, and they will underestimate their skill; when you talk about such things, they will take it as a universal truth. In a typical Indian family, the boys start driving before age eighteen, and girls generally take lessons before marriage; it is an added qualification and status symbol. Why parents do not trust their daughters is an essential part of making them independent.

Children often look up to their parents as their role models when they are young, and whatever they tell them is always considered the best thing to do. However, in my case, it is the opposite; my son always feels at ease when I am behind the wheel. When he turned eighteen, I enrolled him in a driving school near our place so I would always accompany him. After four or five days, I decided to take over and teach him myself. I asked him if he would like it, and he said that he wanted the way I drove comfortably and with pleasure. So, I started giving him driving lessons, and within a week, he started driving independently. When I asked him how he felt, he replied that he would be happy if he could go like me. One day, he called me and said, “Mom, you know, today I was in a cab, and the driver was driving better than you; he’s the only person I’ve found with such skills.” I asked if he now idolized that driver. Driving is not a competition but rather a source of pleasure, a way to relieve stress, and a comfortable mode of transportation. There is a significant difference in the types of vehicles owned by the husband and spouse in our family.

CHILDHOOD ASPIRATION FOR THE WHEELS

I want to buy an SUV that I’ve had my eye on for quite some time now. After studying at the best institution in India and working for a giant corporation for a long time, it would not be enjoyable if I couldn’t afford or purchase the car I desired. I grew up in a middle-class family who couldn’t afford to own a car. Owning a car was considered a luxury, and I remember seeing Fiats and Ambassador cars in the 80s and thinking that they were out of our reach. However, I realised that education could help improve our economic and social status. After getting admitted to IIT, I knew I could eventually own a car.

My first car was a 1996 Maruti 800 deluxe AC model in Mumbai. It was the only small car my partner and I could afford after getting married. We owned a Santro Xing, Honda City, Vento, Honda City Automatic, i10, and BMW X1 as our lifestyle improved. I have used two manual and automatic Honda City cars I drove to work for seventeen years. I have a great passion for driving, and cars are my love and passion more than jewellery and food. I bought my eighth car, which is a VOLVO XC60.

SAFETY IS UTMOST

I was looking for a seven-seater car, but I needed the last two seats to be more spacious and comfortable for passengers in this price range. From September to October 23rd, I test-drove several cars. During that time, I went on a vacation to Arunachal, where we hired an Innova HyCross. We drove 6-7 hours daily on narrow mountain roads with V-shaped turns. The Innova HyCross was a comfortable seven-seater, but I learned from the driver that driving a fully loaded car on these roads is very unsafe. They only allow three passengers in one car and luggage in the back because putting luggage on top can affect the car’s balance while climbing down. These roads are accident-prone, and it’s essential to take precautions. After my experience, I realized that I don’t need a seven-seater car as I usually travel with a maximum of four people in the vehicle, including the driver.

MY CHOICE – VOLVO XC60

When I arranged to test drive this vehicle, VOLVO XC60, I asked the sales professional why I had not seen any women going for it. Women usually favour popular luxury brands like Merc, BMW, and Audi. However, the sales professional explained that this car is powerful, and women prefer to avoid driving SUVs. I tried out the Land Rover Discovery, the Mercedes EQB/GLC, Audi Q5, and BMW X3 during my test drive.

It was difficult to choose, but I fell in love with this car after a test drive and a thorough explanation of its features by a sales professional.

There are reasons for buying this car; everyone has priority over functions and features, which influenced me to buy VOLVO XC 60.

• Volvo cars have the highest safety rating. According to Volvo, they are the only brand that uses female dummy tests, showing a commitment to female driver safety.
• Most cars require kids to sit in the back seat, but this car allows them to sit in the front.
• The tinted privacy glass was a great feature that caught my attention. Typically, when driving, everything is see-through and can make you self-conscious.
• Having a good music and audio system is essential for me. I prefer listening to audiobooks of lectures as it saves me a lot of time. I appreciate the audio system, which has three seating options.
• I have a severe allergy to pollution and never drive with open windows due to poor air quality outside. This car has an air purification system filters air up to 2.5 PM AQI.
• The back seat in a Volvo can be converted into a comfortable, slanted bed. Whenever I am not driving during long journeys, I prefer to sleep as it helps me relax and pass the time. However, I cannot read a book or watch videos in a moving car as it often leads to nausea and headaches.

“I always feel stressed and unsafe when someone else is driving. It’s essential to control your own life’s steering.”

While no one can predict the future, going yourself is the safest option. I prioritize safety over fancy features and always try to be cautious.

“I believe all luxury cars are good, but when you get behind the wheel, you can tell if it fits you. I always trusted my instincts and did the same when choosing my car. I commute to work regularly, which is 18 km away and involves dealing with traffic. I will share more feedback about my driving experience after using the car for three months.”