A report coming out of Gwalior suggests that women in the city and the state are now focusing on becoming self-reliant by taking charge of transportation by learning how to drive. Compared to the last four years, the highest number of women have applied for permanent driving licenses for two wheelers and four wheelers. According to the Transport Department, record-breaking applications have come in from girls and women to get a permanent driving license.
According to reports, four years ago only 1,700 women had applied for driving licenses in the city. This year, the number of applications has increased to over 7,000—that too almost three months before the financial year is over.
Reports from the state reveal that women also perform better at their driving license tests, with around 85 per cent passing it. This also hints clearly that women, being more cautious by nature, also tend to follow traffic rules better. Suresh Tomar, the joint director of Mahila Bal Vikas, says that the administration has tied up with Madhya Pradesh Tourism to increase awareness about driving and road safety to women, which has in turn led to an increase in driving license applications.
*Image used for representative purpose only.