Team DailyPedia
Almost a week after a baby in a stroller was almost hit by a car at Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan, blogger Rona Marie Cruz spoke up to reveal the story of the lady driver who was bashed online for her apparent carelessness.
Read: Toyota employee almost hits a baby in a stroller, tries to get away
In her post Think Before You Post: Irresponsibility on Social Media Leads to Bullying, Cruz revealed several information that did not fall in line with Karina Ramos’s account of what happened. (Ramos is the mother of the baby in the incident.) Cruz said she was able to contact the Toyota employee to get her side of the story. The driver’s identity, though, was kept private to spare her from more hateful messages she had received since the post went viral. Let it be clarified, though, that Cruz was not asked to write this blog in defense of the driver. She wrote the entry on her own.
Cruz said how Ramos had posted the lady almost bumped her baby’s stroller with her car. She emphasized the word “almost,” meaning the child was not hit at all. Cruz also questioned Ramos’s statement that the lady did not look sincere. Cruz asked what was her definition of sincerity and how was she so sure the lady wasn’t sincere at all when she apologized? It was also revealed that it was Ramos’s mother who went to the driver’s window and not Ramos herself as she said in her post.
Cruz also pointed out how the lady driver couldn’t have attempted to get away from the scene. Having frequented the popular shopping center for more than 30 years, Cruz said she knew the place like the back of her hand and it was very unlikely that the car could speed away to get away from a scene especially on a Friday afternoon after work (the incident happened around 4:30 p.m.). People on foot, yes. Vehicles, no.
Cruz questioned as well how the stroller was being pushed along the pedestrian crossing.
“Here’s another personal point—why in the world would the stroller be ‘almost’ hit when the parent/guardian should always be on the danger side?” said Cruz. “Especially if you have the Lola with you, why would you push the stroller first without making sure if it’s safe?”
She also said, “You practically put your child’s life on the line because you assumed that if one car stops, all other cars would stop.” Being a mother herself, Cruz said she would never assume anything when it came to her children. Not even the simplest assumption if it meant risking the safety of her kids.
Cruz continued discussing and refuting certain statements in Ramos’s post that weren’t the same version as told by the lady driver.
Cruz wrote the article not to bash anyone nor to make netizens choose sides. What Cruz was most affected about was how the lady driver was bullied on social media when only one side of the story was posted. She did not belittle the incident nor the fear that Ramos and family for sure experienced. “What I’m getting at is that I personally believe that you were scared because your child almost got hurt. He/she wasn’t. You aren’t hurt. Your mother isn’t hurt. You are all safe now in your home. Yes, it may be scary or even at some point traumatic,” she said.
“The person who almost UNINTENTIONALLY hit you or your child or the Lola has already said sorry,” wrote Cruz further. “She has been charged for not bringing her license. What else do you want?”
Cruz understood that perhaps when she wrote the post, Ramos was very emotional and shaken up. But in her opinion, a post like that may have a long-term effect on the lady driver—as well as her family—mentally, emotionally, and even physically.
Cruz lamented on the fact that netizens just assumed they knew the driver from Ramos’s account of events and immediately made harsh and unnecessary comments “about her ranging from her appearance to a misjudged attitude to assumed driving ethics and so much more.”
Bullying is an issue that hit close to home and Cruz advised her readers, “Next time you bash, share, or comment on something, think.” Cruz emphasized the harsh reality of bullying and its effects, especially now that bullying incidents have increased with the rise and popularity of social media.
Cruz again clarified that she was not in any way asked to post on behalf of the lady driver. She decided to protect the identity of both parties in her article as she did not have any intention to become an “irresponsible basher” as well. Like most bloggers, she “simply wanted to state [her] opinion because this is her] personal blog as well as [she] really think that the subject about bullying is very important and needs to be discussed” having been bullied online many times as well.
Ramos’s posts regarding the matter have already been deleted, hopefully to put closure on the issue. May all parties involved move on and take their lessons learned from this ordeal.
Banner photo screen cap from Rona Marie Cruz’s blog.
The post is clearly defending the driver. The fact still remains that drivers should slow down, especially if nearing a pedestrian lane. If Ramos is not using a pedestrian lane when she crossed the street, then she is at fault because she is putting her and her child in danger. Driver etiquette 101 states that drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing appropriate lanes. Besides, how do you PUSH a stroller? It was stated on Ramos’ account that another car has stopped to give way to pedestrians at that time. If this driver is responsible enough, she would have done the same. But no, she went on and ALMOST hit the stroller— clear display of arrogance behind wheels. Although the stroller was not hit, there is no excuse to her action. Regarding the sincerity, only the people involved can attest if the “sorry” statement was sincerely given at that time. The writer interviewed the driver, obviously, the driver would say she is sincere. It’s her version. Lastly, the driver’s “attempt” to “get away” is actually more on her idea that if she moved her vehicle, Ramos will not pursue her anymore. But since it’s Greenhills, she really would not get away easily, considering it’s Friday at 4:30pm.
Bottomline— deny it or not, this post by Cruz definitely (objectively in my books) is in defense of the driver.