Monday, August 24, 2020
Ever Wonder?
What happens when your overall presentation doesn't precisely reflect the gender marker shown on your license, and you have an incident involving police when you're on the road?
The short answer often is: "nothing out of the ordinary."
I was sitting at a red light on a side road in another county in Maryland, waiting for the light to change, listening to the radio and sort of daydreaming while staring at the light. While wearing one of my capri outfits with my white sandals and white toe nails gleaming. All of a sudden: BAM - my car lurched forward (but the brakes held), when the driver behind me ran into the back of my car at a relatively slow speed. (Always keep your foot on the brake, as I do, to avoid rear-ending the car in front of you when you are rear-ended. Using "Park" may mess up your automatic transmission.) I looked in my mirrors, and the driver was an older (than me) lady. There were no cars behind hers yet, and no lurking bystanders or passengers in her car, waiting to jump in and hijack my car. So I got out, the lady opened her window and apologized, and asked if there was any damage. Which of course there was, so I called police.
The officer arrived within a couple of minutes, (which amazed the lady). He used no gender specific greetings for me at first, addressed the other lady as a female, my face matched my driver's license, and required papers for me and the other driver were all in order. There was no injury to anyone, and the officer facilitated our information exchange. Then to my amazement, when talking to both of us together, he finished with "Each of you ladies, report this to your insurance company, and they will work it out." Before long, we were both on our way. My car with a dented rear, hers with little or no identifiable damage.
Of course, under different circumstances things with police involvement could turn out wildly opposite...."your mileage may vary." But one's composure and attitude could make a big difference. And handled carefully, it's generally nothing to fear.
Be safe...
Mandy
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