I am out of the house, rushing to post some documents. There are a couple of guys glaring intently at me. I try to shoo them away by glaring back. They persistently stare. At what? I quickly eye my outfit. Nothing amiss there. I am just arranging some documents and putting them in a cloth envelope before I leave them at a courier’s. I ignore them hoping that they will go away quickly. I am conscious of the fact that many passersby are just peeping in idly.
I am very careful these days and double check that my wallet and cellphone are in my purse. I am pretty careless with them especially my mobile and often leave them on the dashboard or on the passenger seat. Oh yes, I am in my car and feel exposed with my lightly-tinted sun film gone. It was a good protection to me not only from the harsh glare of the sun but also the lecherous glares of other men. Women who drive know how vulnerable we feel just because we are women driving. Men feel it is alright to “check us out,” grin at us or give us threatening glares.
Theft has become a very real threat to all absent-minded drivers. All the belongings in your car are easily visible so be careful before leaving anything on the seats – laptops, purses, or shopping bags.
Men always have a condescending outlook towards women and their driving. Any slow driver or daydreamer or poor driver – cluck, cluck must be a woman. Poor thing – isko road par kisne chhod diya. So expect more such pitying stares now.
Anyhow, so the moot point is – Will the removal of sun film really protect us or expose us further? Try driving at night especially in deserted areas. The other day my husband did not allow me to pick him up at night because he felt it was not safe for me to come out so late in the car.
Also, we will find road rage incidents increasing. With people making eye contact more often, you can be assured of more ruffled feathers on the road. Not to mention, tons of sun film that has been indiscriminately disposed leading to yet another environmental hazard. What will the traffic police do about the curtains and sun shields that are now selling like hot cakes and will be decorating the car windows?
Thank you SC for being so considerate to us! Maybe, the traffic cops did not know that even earlier there was a rule about the percentage of darkness of the sun film allowed but sadly that was never imposed. Had that been imposed, people including VIPs could not get away with almost black windows. How do these people drive at night with such dark films anyway?
So, gals be careful while you drive! You are exposed much more than you know.
Pic courtesy: Freedigitalphotos.net
It would be nice if there was some sort of window darkening that you could pull up and down, just like ordinary windows. Apparently the demand isn’t there yet.
It is an interesting idea, but it won’t be allowed. It will defeat the purpose of having the sun film removed in the first place.
Also, here in Holland you cannot leave your bag on the passenger seat. Kids with motorbikes will break the window, grab your bag and then quickly get away, weaving through the traffic jam.
Really, I didn’t know that. Okay, I will crib a little less :).
There are two things I wish to say
If dark films beyond a limit is banned,what about curtains annd sunshields.Should they not also come within the mischief of law as the intention of the law is puportedly to prevent criminal outfits travelling unseen?
Secondly why make a big noise about women in cars being exposed without filmy screens, when they walk around the malls/roads with nothing to prevent exposure unless they wear burqua?Lols
Rachna,this is written in lighter vein to provoke a comment from you
Your first question — I have my doubts too. Second — There is a difference between going in a crowded place and driving alone. There is a unique phenomenon called road rage and intimidating driving. One does not wish to get into brawls with such goons. Some will follow your vehicle or honk unnecessarily or make obscene gestures. And, you would rather not get into a scuffle because they can be gangsters who can harm you. Once, I had a bike guy following me almost 2 kms. So, this mild film was offering me protection which is now taken away sadly :(. And, I wouldn’t take offense at anything you say :).
I agree with you, I don’t know how could the SC come up with such a law which instead of doing good, would only end up causing more harm. As it is with limited tinting the rays of the sun while driving is pretty unbearable,the amount of AC required to cool the cars, and the so called safety of women drivers not only at night, but all the time, how did they ignore so many issues?
There should be some way to challenge the court order, and I don’t know why nobody has taken any initiative so far, how does one even go about doing it?
Then there is the danger of skin cancer, skin darkening/ pigmentation due to exposure. Yes the environmental hazards of piles of sun films too.
When there are other important laws to be enforced immediately why this hurry to get this phalthu law passed I cannot understand.
Yes, the heat part too. The A/Cs need to consume more fuel, and imagine what will be the scene in other hotter cities when we feel the heat in Bangalore. Don’t know how we can challenge it because it is a SC directive. And, they claim to be doing it to protect us!
This law on removal of sun films is stupid… i feel safer driving with a dark film on my windows… anti social elements will simply find another place to molest women, if not in moving cars with dark films… do the police think banning sun films will deter these people from committing crimes against women?
I agree Ash. And couldn’t they have fined those with very dark films anyway because that was illegal. So, why punish us for the crimes of a few?
Indian authorities seemed to have developed a ‘ban’ mentality. The rule now is ‘Ban it if you cant control it’
A sad state of affairs indeed.
Maybe, they could have asked more ladies what they felt about this initiative before jumping in with this enforcement.
I know the nature of those stares! uff!!!Nice post and drive carefully
Thank you Jaish. I guess all women know that. I will!
I dont know why the rule was made to completley, here in uk the law is based on percentage, SOme percent of light in the front driver and passengers seat .. but the back windows can be tinted depending on our own choice
moreover Every car now comes with a TINT here ..
really stupid , as u say this has made it worse as women drivers are easier to target.
Bikram’s
The percentage rule was here as well. No one enforced it, and people had a field day flouting it. So, now we are left with no film. Yes, cars that come with custom-fitted tinted windows in the right percentage are allowed. It is really hard for women drivers as it is, now add this to it. Oh yes, carrying my pepper spray.
goood , keep a baseball bat or a hockey stick and if someone comes near get it out and whack him between his legs hard .. that will teach them a lesson..
I dont understand whats MANLY about terrorirsing a woman, how does that make a MAN
Bikram’s
Yes Bikram. I guess keeping a cricket bat should be okay. I will keep one in the car now. I don’t understand it either. What is so great in troubling a woman? Thanks for your concern.
People find something strange about a lady driving a car. At times it’s not just a benign curiosity but it goes to the extent of harassing a woman driver, from traffic police to cab drivers, almost everyone tries to take some kind of a revenge. Unfortunately, this ‘must be a woman driver’ attitude is there amongst educated people as well.
Exactly Deb! This is beyond ridiculous. There are so many women drivers yet people stare as if we are some kind of aliens. We have the worst pests in cab drivers, auto drivers etc. who will inch forward and move their vehicle right next to you so that they can lech. It is disgusting the harassment.
I stopped driving because I was leched and heckled a decade ago….the ban is in order to prevent cases of rape and molestation in moving cars…dunno how much of it helps though.
I am sorry, Alka that you went through that. Not driving is also a kind of disability, nah?
Oh, I feel so bad for you Alka. But, I can’t give up driving. It is my independence. I love the freedom I have to go anywhere without relying on anyone. Why the hell should I give up because men want me to? I will figure a way around this intrusion too. I think the order is crazy. It is not as if all the police force is there to keep watch in deserted areas that this will make a difference.
I never thought about it like this–I was only thinking of the horrible sunglare in Chennai. Hmmm…I wish SC had heard this argument. The decision was taken too soon.
Thanks Rachna…that was a neat post on this issue from a woman’s perspective.
I wish there was some way they had asked our opinion before taking this step for our “benefit.” Thanks Bhavana.
Carry a toy revolver or maybe a mean looking knife (the mammoth ones used for chopping) and wave it at those idiots trying to check you out.
I have a pepper spray! Knife is a good idea, but it could get me arrested.
people who want to circumvent the law, will always do..
Exactly, rapists and perverts will find a way. But, meanwhile other women suffer.
The powers that be are trying to fix the wrong hole. Why did they stop short of stipulating transparent windows for the trucks and vans too?
And hurt the people they claim to protect in the bargain.
Rachna,
I too was very surprised at this order by SC.
Take care
It is misguided.
Be careful Rachna! It sounds like women are vulnerable to all sorts of unwanted attention and that all people are vulnerable to more road rage and violence lately! Very interesting post my friend!
Colleen, So good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well. Yep, it helps to be vigilant.
This is a serious matter that you are talking about. Both arguments have their own pluses and minuses..But, we are yet to see its after effects..
Personally, I hate the policy.
timely post…this rule sucks!
Thank you Ashok!
The stares and the checking out looks are so very disgusting and demeaning!! Stay safe!!
I agree Shilpa. Thanks!
Too bad a ruling for the women. The cat calls have increased aand the staring is more pronounced now. I feel vulnerable while in the driver’s seat. Gone are those days when nursing mothers fed the babies in the security and privacy of a car. You have raised a very important issue here, Rachna.
Thank you Cloud Nine. Yes, now we have no privacy in our car. People will need no excuse to peep in.
Who thought of this rule and why imposing it now? Whatever is their case? Any idea?
SC imposed it because of the rising incidents of rape and molestation in cars that have very dark films. This order is supposed to ensure the safety of women.
Rachna, so unfortunate that we rank even below Saudia Arabia when it comes to treating women! A shame it is!
A huge shame, I agree Rahul! Hope your vacation is going well.
Rachna,definitely your anxieties are genuine and what all you have pointed out there is real as well.In a country like ours where ‘staring’ from men is considered as a ‘right from birth’,it’s nothing much demanding,but realistic about such cries.
The fact is,as in everywhere,it’s been perfectly misused in our premises.The other side is horrible too Rachna.
But We will face those rude looks,will challenge those immature comments..Let it all be a blessing to be strong.
Yes, I will fight it. There is no way in hell that I won’t drive. I will just be extra careful and thick skinned. Thanks for your concern, Melange.
I think curtains and sunshields also fall in the same category. A speeding car with curtains drawn, who will stop them?
The problem is that everything is ingrained right from when the child is born. Only a handful go the right way.. most men think, it is ok to stare at women and that too wherever they want.
I agree. But people are using them. How do we blame them. I was in Hyderabad recently. Kids were almost getting burnt in the cab in the scorching heat. Yes, in our culture, it seems cat calls, staring, even groping is fine. Even movies show that. Disgusting.
Our rules are all made to intimidate the middle-class mostly. And the law makers know that they would follow them too. But as Umashankar says, they are plugging the wrong hole and so it might not ultimately prevent crimes but even increase them — as you have pointed out, women feel more vulnerable now. And I agree with your statement of driving as a means of independence. I feel crippled twice over because I am unable to drive after losing vision in my right eye.
Yes Zephyr! The crème de la crème will escape and so will the lower most strata. We are caught in the middle of it. I can understand what you feel. It must be bad to give up driving. Hugs and strength to you!
Here dark films are banned, Semi dark are allowed. 🙂 Some consolation
Here semi-dark tints are allowed. All films are banned :(.
Women already have to face so many troubles.. just the other day, I was waiting in my office lounge, and I found that there was this man who sat across the room… He was staring at me like he has never in his life seen a girl. I mean.. I can imagine how people will now have a field day with women drivers, as it is, road rage is high every where.. and with Bangalore traffic the way it is, it is gonna be even more tough for women.
SC perhaps does not use common sense. How much crime will they control by letting the films go??? People who want to commit crime will do it anyways.
What is really required is to apply capital punishment on such criminals.
Punish these criminals but not the victims. Very rightly said.
hey wrote a comment here where has it gone!! anywy…nice post ji…cheers
I unspammed your comment. Thank you Ramesh!
How sad! Women are completely unsafe in our country be at home ,work ,outdoors or on wheels. This is the same country where we say ,Yatra Naryastu Pujyate, Ramante Tatra Devata.
It bugs me.
Sun reflecting films are very useful and were originally meant for residential and commercial buildings.In the US,these films are commonly used.
When it came to usage in vehicles,Govt has a policy which identifies the reflection percentage.Police may have ignored the rules,but,those did exist.
I have been involved with Sun Films when the first Inch was produced.
Sun Films are very useful. I agree that there is already a policy in place that needed to be enforced. Why the ban on sun films?
Women drivers already get too many moron stares. Its as if we have committed a ghastly crime by sitting behind the wheel. Sterotyping! Sun films are a much needed protection.
I agree Jenny! Thank you for your comment.
I agree females are more prone to stares even if she is wearing BURKHA ..the guys want to find out whets underneath the ..shield ..
its always been like that .. western countries its little less since ..society is more open but these morons exist ..
and yea keeping your belongings carefully..I usually use the trunk before I leave to keep it safe there ..
Yes trunk is the only decent option for when you wish to put things out of view.
watt..my coment dint appear here again..bahhh..someone out der is envying my fship with rachna…:)
Your comment went into spam, Ramesh. let us get blogger for doing this to you :).
yeah the most stupidest decision ever made. Its so weird to get glares at the traffic signal, and other places.
Agree wholeheartedly!
I guess I need to learn driving. I have a license but haven’t practiced. Isn’t that a shame? 🙁
I hope the glares don’t stop any women from hitting the road…
I certainly hope not. And, you really must drive. It is liberating :).
Hi Rachna, I’m a new reader. Sorry about to hear about this new law!
You know, even in the US, there is bias against women drivers. “Car crash, must have been a woman driver involved”! Ugly MCP-ism is everywhere!
Do visit my blog when you have time!
Thank you for your visit, Mom of A and a! I will surely drop by.