Cautious women make roads safer
Hesitant but cautious, city women are changing the prevalent belief of women being bad drivers to safe drivers. According to the recent report by Delhi Police, city women drivers caused less than two per cent of all fatal road mishaps the previous year. The report further states that till September 15 this year, 12 fatal accidents were caused by women in Delhi, as against 724 by men. With more young women going behind the wheel and driving confidently, they share what makes them watchful and better drivers than their male counterparts.
Charu Shrivastava, a college student, feels that women break fewer rules than men. “I have just started driving, so I stay alert on the road. To steer clear of mishaps, women follow rules of wearing seat belts, driving in lanes, following the speed limit and road signs. All this indicates a more conscientious approach to operating a motor vehicle to avoid accidents. Also, to avoid road rage, if I take a wrong turn, I always apologise. It’s better to be slow and safe than sorry,” she says.
Seconds Sonal Sharma, a dancer, who feels that there are hardly any cases of women getting involved in drunken driving. “I never drink and drive. It reduces the chances of being aggressive on roads, which leads to traffic accidents. Women are better in learning and obeying rules. I never skip signals, talk on the phone or get involved in rash driving,” adds Sonal.
There are few who feel that it’s motherly instincts, patience and a calm attitude that gives female drivers an edge over men. Says Divya Gupta, a chartered accountant, “Women are born with innate, nurturing instincts. Those instincts make women safe drivers. They are life givers and they have a natural tendency to protect those around them. Therefore, they are more likely to be defensive drivers. Being a caring mother may pay off to becoming a caring, and therefore safer driver.”
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