Women drivers in the City, contrary to belief, feel safe while driving alone in the night
The roads of Hyderabad are infamous for being dangerous as night falls. The people drive fast, and the crime rate is the highest in the dark. In this scenario, when a woman drives a car or rides a bike in the night, it is said that danger is close by. At least, this is what most people believe. But when you ask women how safe they feel driving or riding in the night, the answer is quite the opposite.
“I haven’t felt unsafe while driving in the night. That doesn’t mean that women don’t need to take precautions. It is better to be safe than to be sorry. While I have encountered minor incidents of men following me, I make it a point to slow down and let them pass. Hyderabad is a lot safer for women drivers especially in the night when compared to Delhi,”
Rachna recalled driving her two-wheeler an entire night and coming home safe. “This shows that Hyderabad is relatively safe for women drivers,” she added.
Sameena Kanaz, a student residing on Road Number 12, Banjara Hills, agrees, “I’ve never had a problem driving late in the night. Yes people drive fast and rash, but if you keep your ground, it isn’t as bad. The policemen let go of women easily and even though I drive late at night, I definitely feel safe. Driving in Old City in the night is better as there are people on the streets all through the night. Banjara Hills, on the other hand, gets deserted. It can get creepy,” she pointed out.
Kiran Mayee Mortha, an analyst for an IT firm, has faced many an instances where men have followed her in the night especially when she is driving alone.
Recalling an incident, she said, “When I was driving in the night near Tolichowki with a friend who reclined his seat, the people outside thought I was driving alone. A few men on bikes followed me until my friend got back up again. This is when they stopped. It was a scary situation,”
Kiran says driving alone especially in the nigh in Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and Hitech City isn’t a problem as women driving around these areas is common. “In Tolichowki, Mehdipatnam and surrounding areas, it isn’t safe. The motorists disturb you and grab attention. This is when I don’t feel safe at all,” she said.
Driving late in the night is safe, driving late in the night alone is risky, said Roshna Ahmed. “Compared to Mumbai, Hyderabad really needs to mature and come to terms that women can drive. Unfortunately, men can’t stand women driving. I have driven many a times late in the night, but never alone as I don’t want to invite trouble. Having said that, women should travel on main roads and avoid going through the by-lanes. They must also keep a vigil and avoid getting into trouble,” opined Roshna.
—COurtesy:Postnoon