Yesterday, as I was about to leave my work for home, when I turned on the ignition key, the BRAKE LAMP icon in the dashboard stayed on even when the engine started running already. I said to myself: How can I get home without stepping on the brake pedal? Which is nearly impossible. As there was still a little sunshine left till sunset and darkness, I said to myself I better head for home now and not drive too closely so I don't have to brake. And that's what I did. If there's cop who sees and tries to pull me over, I just take my chance and speed-up and start a wild chase ending with TV helicopter reporting all that was happening ending up at my front driveway. (The last sentence came to me in my imagination only! Akala ninyo totoo na.)
And so I proceeded with my trip home and made at least 5 instances when I have to step on the brake pedal. I said:"So far so good. No cops! I can do this!" Then as I merge in the 76 freeway a traffic back-up was ahead of me (a good 3 miles at that!!!)
I'll have to brake a lot, i thought. I also considered taking the surface road and and avoid traffic lights as much as possible and drive very, very slow. Which I realized was impossible, so, I stayed and kept looking in my rear view mirror every time I brake. After a while, the sun had set and that's when I realized there was a red light coming from my center lamp inside the back dashboard. And after stepping on my brake three more times, I saw a red glow on the front of the car that was following me. That means I had brake lights after all all along. What a relief!
When I go home I re-check my all my lights in front of my garage door. Have this happened to you? What do you? Do yo check your lights at daylight to get ready to drive at night? Me? I always check my lights regularly every time I was car. Only the last few months I wasn't able to do so. So I kind of panic when I saw the BRAKE LAMP on. So DO NOT PANIC. Maybe it was the continuous rain we've been having and got my trunk wet because of some leaks I have back there. But, DO PRAY FOR NO COP!
And that night, I saw a TV show where a cop stopped a car without headlights. As the driver was frantically and panically explaining to the cop that he forgot to turn on the separate switch for the headlight. And when the cop asked why the driver was freaking-out, he said he has a suspended license and he doesn't want to go to jail that night. The cop said he will not go to jail just to calm him down and proceeded cuffing and did the routine drunk and drug test. And finally at the end, the cop read the Miranda rights and arrested the driver cause there must be a serious reason why his license was suspended. All these because of a damn lack of light or just plain being dumb. And if I cause an accident, the other driver will say:"You did not brake!" Be careful, be safe and be prepared.
2 comments:
wow Diko! That was scary! Ever since I started driving, I always try not to follow to close to the car in front of me. Here, there are many sneaky drivers who just step on their brakes so you rear-end them and they collect insurance money. I'm glad it turned out okay for you.
that's a good idea. and make sure your brake lights are always working. if they don't and the car behind hit you, it'll be your fault. but, i guess you know that, too, Insurance Gal. i type about those types of drivers, too. i was relieve too, so much so, to make sure the car's really OK, i used the van yesterday and back to the car today. we can't take any chances. do we?
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