Women Drivers, Read These 5 Tips to Stay Safe On The Road!

Here's the solo woman driver's guide to staying safe with tips that go beyond the usual advice.

Hey, ladies! There’s nothing quite like driving solo, right?

But the recent spate of heinous crimes on women are a harsh reminder that we need to always stay alert  - not just at the workplace, but out on the road too. With that in mind, we have compiled some practical tips including how to use gadgets and tech available in your car to save you from potentially dangerous situations. 

So, buckle up and read on, because nothing should stop you from taking the driver’s seat to explore the world.

1. Stay Attentive and Trust Your Intuitions

• Trust Your Gut: A woman is gifted with a powerful ability–the sixth sense! If you ever feel uneasy, even in a situation as small as your colleague asking for a lift, trust your gut and say NO! Declining this request doesn’t mean you are being disrespectful, it just means that you prioritize your safety.

• Plan Your Route: Plan your route in advance always, especially if you are returning late at home. Choose a familiar route where you are well aware of the safe places to stop, if necessary. You can even share your route with your friend or a family member so that they know your whereabouts and can check if needed. 

2. Keep Your Car Well-Maintained

• Regular Car Maintenance: Make sure that your car is in good condition to avoid unexpected breakdowns, especially in unsafe areas. Check your car’s engine, brakes, lights, and tyres regularly. Timely maintenance can save you from being in a risky situation.

• Fuel Check: Although it's a personal choice, always keep your tank at least half full. Running out of fuel can leave you helpless in potentially unsafe conditions or locations. It’s better to first stop at the petrol pump that is in a familiar area than to stop at a deserted fuel station.

• Emergency Kit: Equip your car with an emergency kit that should include a flashlight, a first aid kit, your vehicle’s documents such as RC, insurance, and some basic tools. You can also keep pepper spray in the glove box for added security. Having these items handy can make a significant difference if you find yourself in an emergency.

• Invest in a Tyre Inflator: Have a portable battery-operated tyre inflator, which is useful for filling punctured tyres until you reach a safe location. It's also important to learn how to change a tyre — it's a basic life skill that everyone should have! Sometimes, scammers might try to get you to roll down your windows by claiming you have a flat tyre. Don’t stop to check immediately; drive away to a safe place as quickly as you can.

3. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

• Park in Well-Lit Areas: Be aware while parking your car, especially in the evening or at night. Always choose a well-lit and populated area over secluded spots. Additionally, avoid parking near vans or trucks that could easily block your way. 

• Lock Your Doors: Though it may seem basic, always remember to lock your doors (if your car doesn’t have an automatic locking system) as soon as you get in the car. You can keep your windows rolled up when stopping at signals or in heavy traffic. Unlocked doors or open windows can provide easy access to someone with harmful intentions. 

• Never leave valuables on display: Leaving your purse, laptop, mobile, or any other valuables in the passenger seat increases the risk of smash-and-grab thefts. It’s always advisable to keep these items in the glove box or the boot.

4. Use Technology for Safety

• GPS and Navigation: Use GPS to quickly navigate through unfamiliar routes. Having a connected car device ensures that your live location is always shared with your loved ones. They can even see if you are exceeding the speed limit or leaving a trusted area.

• Emergency Contacts: Keep emergency contacts on your speed dial. This should include local police, a family member, a close friend, and of course a roadside assistance number. In an emergency, quick access to these numbers can truly be life-saving. 

• Install a Dashcam: Consider installing a dashcam on the windshield of your car, especially a 3-channel one that records the front, rear, and inside. This comprehensive setup can provide footage of all the activities around the car. If someone is following you, it can record their face which will serve as valuable evidence. Additionally, the inside camera can help track who enters and exits your car. Hyundai Exter, Renault Triber, and Renault Kiger are some of the models that offer factory-fitted dashcams

Also Read: These 7 Cars Sold In India Get A Factory-fitted Dashcam

Tip: Save these helpline numbers:

Police: 112. This number can be used for assistance in emergencies, including police, ambulance, and fire. You can contact 112 by sending a message or directly dialing. You can also download the ‘112 India’ app from the Play Store or App Store. Once you hit the panic button on this app, the nearest police station will try to contact you. And if you don’t pick up the call, they will trace your location and arrive at the destination.

Women in distress: 1091 (directly dial this for immediate assistance)

National Commission for Woman Helpline: 7827170170

• Safety Apps: As a woman, you should always have safety apps on your mobile phone. These apps offer emergency alerts, location tracking, or a panic button. 

Tip: Familiarize yourself with these apps and use them as an additional layer of protection during the travels. The government-authorized apps are- Raksha, My Saftipin, and Smart 24x7. When a user presses the panic button on these apps, their emergency contacts, the nearest police station, and the local hospital get notified.

• Install a Panic Button: When pressed, it triggers the wireless signal to the home console, alerting the monitoring staff of an emergency. They’ll then assess the situation and contact your family, friends, or emergency contacts. The panic button works even when your mobile battery is dead or you are in no network zone. 

5. Practice Defensive Driving

• Stay Focused: Avoid using your mobile phone while driving, as it can make you vulnerable to accidents and criminal activities. It is rightly said, ‘Nazar hati, Durghatna ghati, so it is important to stay focused on the road and avoid engaging in any activity that diverts you from driving.

• Maintain Distance: Keep a safe distance from other vehicles on the road. It gives you more time to react to sudden situations. This will also prevent aggressive drivers from trying to intimidate or harass you on the road. 

• Avoid Heated Arguments: If you encounter an aggressive driver, it's better to maintain a safe distance from them to avoid any fight. Garam khoon valo se duri hi behtar hai! Let them drive ahead. If somebody is trying to overtake you or challenge you in any way, it's suggested that you should drive to a safe location such as a police station or a well-lit busy area.

• Do Not Stop for Strangers: This may sound harsh, but do not stop for strangers, especially at night or in isolated areas. We don’t know their intentions. However, if you still feel the need to help, call the police and inform them about this situation. 

Conclusion

In addition to the above tips, you should click the pictures or take videos if someone is following you and share them with someone who can help you. In addition to this, activate the SOS button on your mobile. Simply by clicking the SOS button, you can quickly send messages, pictures, and audio recordings to the chosen contacts.

We wish, a safe journey to every woman out there! 

What other safety tips do you have? Comment down below