Nightime driving is turning out to be quite scary. With the recent incident of a young toll plaza attendant being shot over payment of toll fee, people who move around in the night, for professional or personal reasons, are taking precautions to keep themselves safe.
Ena Sharma, celebrity manager, says, “My profession keeps me away from home sometimes as late as 3 am. I am forced to be on the roads, thankfully, I have my driver with me, but there are times when I drive back alone and hearing strange stories has made me fearful now. I do make sure all the windows are rolled up and don’t stop at any place except the toll, but that too is scary. I may be paying the toll and what if a drunkard in the next lane takes offence due to something and shoots me?”
Those who work late, and drive on their own or in a cab/auto, prefer not to draw attention to themselves. Media professional Priya Sharma follows strict guidelines. She says, “Past 10-10.30 pm, I don’t argue about the fare. Also, having men follow the autos has taught me to cover my face and pretend to look elsewhere.”
DU student Kanika Khandelwal (name changed) says she won’t stop partying because of one stray incident. “My parents are worried, but since I hang out in groups it makes no difference. We are careful from our end.”
Gurgaon resident Tanveer, IT professional, has changed his route to home. “I am careful after the toll incident and no longer take that route and opt for MG road. One has to be wary of people on the road. The fact that people are carrying arms with them makes us all even more vulnerable.”