
Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently made waves at the third edition of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan, joining prominent figures like megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to champion road safety awareness. Her candid discussion not only highlighted critical safety concerns but also boldly addressed long-standing stereotypes about women drivers.
Breaking Down Driving Stereotypes
When confronted with the common stereotype that women are bad drivers, Samantha responded with refreshing skepticism. “Is that a thing, really? I hear it but I really haven’t seen the proof of it,” she remarked. Instead of accepting the stereotype, she turned the narrative on its head by emphasizing women’s multitasking abilities as a potential driving advantage.
“Women are great at multi-tasking so they are probably very good at focusing on the road as well,” Samantha asserted, challenging the ingrained misconception about female driving skills. Her response underscores the importance of questioning and dismantling baseless stereotypes that persist in society.
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A Call for Reflection
Beyond addressing driving stereotypes, Samantha emphasized the critical importance of personal responsibility on the roads. She urged individuals to engage in self-reflection, stating, “I think that it all starts with self-reflection. We are always fearful of abiding by rules, not getting caught. But I think it’s time for a moment of self-reflection as to ‘are you doing the right thing for yourself, your family?'”
Her critique of poor road etiquette was particularly pointed. “Definitely cutting lanes and honking. I don’t see that in any other country. Not so much as I see it here. I think that road etiquette is something that…just because you can drive, I don’t think you should be on the road. You should also have a certain amount of driver etiquette,” she explained.
Interestingly, Samantha candidly admitted that she herself is not a confident driver, revealing, “Not well. So, I choose not to.” This honest admission further demonstrates her commitment to road safety over maintaining a particular image.
The event served as a powerful platform to challenge societal stereotypes and promote a culture of responsible driving.