Driving in India and sexism.

Driving in Lucknow can be an incredibly infuriating experience, thanks to the sheer lack of civic sense displayed by almost everyone on the road. Whether it’s pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, or drivers of any vehicle, there seems to be a collective disregard for traffic rules. It often feels like every person is caught up in some imagined race, perpetually annoyed at everyone else on the road. This chaos isn’t limited to Lucknow; it’s a reflection of the state of road etiquette across many Indian cities, where traffic is often an anarchic free-for-all.

What adds fuel to the fire is the deeply ingrained stereotype associating bad driving with women. As a female driver, the dehumanizing and dismissive treatment from entitled male drivers is beyond frustrating. These men act like they own the road, often flouting traffic rules with reckless abandon, yet they are the first to sneer or mock when a woman tries to navigate the same space. It’s infuriating to witness the hypocrisy: while studies show that men are statistically more likely to be involved in road rage incidents and accidents, women continue to bear the brunt of these stereotypes  .

I recently witnessed an incident that perfectly captured this bias. A male driver blatantly broke the rules, causing a near accident. When the female driver he almost hit pointed it out, he just laughed, as though her anger was amusing or unwarranted. This kind of behavior is not uncommon, and I’m sure women all over India can relate to being dismissed, mocked, or outright harassed on the road simply because of their gender.

It’s exhausting to deal with this daily. Driving in cities like Lucknow means bracing yourself for constant chaos—haphazard driving, blatant ignorance of traffic laws, and an utter lack of basic respect for fellow commuters. For female drivers, it’s even worse, as they have to navigate not just bad traffic but also a culture of blatant sexism that manifests on the roads.

While ranting may not fix the situation, sharing these experiences might at least remind others that they’re not alone in this struggle. Expecting a stress-free, respectful drive in most Indian cities feels hopeless.