my first road mishap. yeepee!

It’s quite distasteful to have someone bump you at the rear then find
out the assailant hasn’t been contrite or remorseful of their misdeed
and even defraud you when you extend an amicable hand by forgoing
with the procedures exacted by law on occurrence of vehicular
misfortune.

a month ago (june 9) , at around 6 pm, while we were engaging the
Gov. Camins intersection trekking from Sta. Maria turning towards
Sta. Cruz, a white sedan bumped us from behind hitting my sister’s
ankle and breaking the transparent cover of the plate number of the
Honda motorbike I was driving.

In my willingness to spare other motorists of the hassles and trouble
of a traffic congestion and after a quick assessment of my sister’s
injury, I decided to let the slip-up go by and let the driver go with
impunity. A big mistake some might say, but I thought it was best for
everybody that time. It was really a hastily made judgment I felt I
had to do. With the minimal of damage and just a minor contusion on
sis’ ankle, plus we where rushing to get to the pier as we had to
deliver some stuff to someone leaving for the islands that very
moment; moreover, we were driving in a very busy intersection at a
still very busy period of the day (I had this uneasy feeling about
subjecting people to hassles just like I want them to spare me of
them, too)

After the bump, the car stopped while we were forced to halt about a
meter and a half to two meters farther to avoid contact with the car
again. I quickly checked the traffic lights ahead of us and saw the
green arrow pointing to the path I was turning to was still on as the
green light for those who were suppose to move straight towards
Canelar St. was also beaming brightly.

I can unmistakably recall that I signaled to turn left as I still saw
my signal lights blinking on the speedometer board right in front of
me right after I made the stop.

I looked back at the driver, dismounted the bike and walked slowly
towards the car while making a sign pointing to the traffic lights
that I was still clear for turning left. I saw the car had a scratch
just below the right headlight and the driver turn out to be a girl. I
approached her, I believe, in a very unassuming manner, but she was
uneasy. She was alone with some pets- an undersized dog or a cat
(I didn’t mind it that much as I was concern more of everybody’s
safety as there were vehicles moving through already). I told her that
the left turn light was still on during that moment meaning I was
still allowed to turn left. She seemed to be having a little bit of
anxiety going on from the way she was reacting- uneasy while not
saying anything clearly. Mostly gestures I recalled.

I walked back to the bike I was driving to check any damages and saw
the transparent cover of our plate number smashed and the plate a bit
bended. Other than that, it wasn’t visible to me right then. I thought
quickly of getting the car’s plate number so should any need for it
come up, I suppose I can run a check on the car’s details later with
the LTO.

After assessing everything, the damages, injury and all the
circumstances-which I can say that I stand at the losing end if I let
it go by- I still decided to let it pass and let everybody come home
early for the night. I was mistaken, I now recognize.

With this, I believe, kind act, I was reciprocated with a total
dishonesty from the lady driver (I didn’t even check if she was
licensed already. Now, I’m having my suspicions if she’s even
qualified to drive with her diminutive physical form).

After saving the alpha-numeric texts on the car’s plate, I walked
quickly towards the driver’s side and ask for an exchange of contact
numbers with the lady- as I was ready to let it go by and leave the
area, it would be right to ask for a contact number in case the need
to get in touch with the other party would arise as in if incase my
sister’s contusion would develop into a severe hematoma or
aggravated into something that would necessitate hospitalization
or medication of some kind. I know it would have no bearing as
there would be no technical record of the incident that may legally
be referred to incase the need arises. But I trusted that the other
party will consider. I was wrong.

What’s the worst thing that can happen if you give your number to a
stranger (which I don’t see my self as a total stranger in this
incident, I’m an aggrieved party, I believe)?-you’ll received
unwarranted stupid messages from a deranged anonymous sender?
You’ll get stalked? If I could have the chance to tell her, I’d
tell her: kid, don’t patronize yourself too much. You don’t look
the kind to be stalked around. I don’t care if she’s the third
member of the Olsen Twins or Hanna Montana herself. Do I appear
like some deranged driver who follows other people around for
unilateral pleasure? You endangered me and my sister’s life.
You could have dragged us to our deaths- God
forbid. Who ever taught you how to drive?

As I asked for her number, after offering mine, she went giving me
one cell phone number then changing to another in the middle of
her narration of the number. “Ay! ito na lang” she quipped. I
know, I should have been wiser to double-check on the second one,
but in my hurry to clear up the road for other motorists, I
thought of double-checking it later. Regrettably, I underestimated
the deportment of the kid. She gave me a false cell phone number.
It cannot be contacted. I just thought of giving her some piece of
advice about driving as she clearly needed some or maybe just a
piece of my mind through text messaging, that’s all. I know it’s
dim-witted, I should have underwent the proper procedure on
vehicular incidents-let the police record it.

But just to caution everybody else, be on the look out for this car.
You might get hit by it next time: a white sedan bearing the plate
number KBW377 driven by a young lady who I suspect is from the
areas of pasonanca, sta. maria or the nearby villages. (I think we
came from the same direction preceding the incident. She was in her
home clothing, so, probably, she had just went out)

All I asked was a contact number. It was all in good faith. And
providing someone whose life you could have ended with your
slackness on the road is all but proper. And you took it off beam.

I hope you can sleep soundly at night, kid.