RENUKA CHOWDHARY, Member Of Parliament (Congress)
I used to ride a motorcycle when I was in college. It was the Royal Enfield — such a handsome bike! I never thought I was doing an odd thing. And now I drive tractors and people are still reacting the way they used to.

Even after I became a Member of Parliament, I used to hire the ‘phat-phatis’ from the India Gate because they are original Harley Davidsons. Oh, I even put my children on it! But the tractor remains my regular vehicle. For 10 days in a month, when I am touring my district, I use it to go around in. I have the Pradhan (headman) sitting with me on one side and local people on the other.

The tractor is such a comfortable vehicle. It takes you through all the puddles and ‘kaccha’ dirt tracks. Where there are no roads, nothing drives better than a tractor. We have the cars too, but if it’s not the tractor, then I enjoy driving around in my Scorpio. It’s easy to drive.

REKHA HANDE, Former Femina Miss India, Model And Social Worker
I drive a Matiz because it vibes with me. It’s neat and comfortable, and very smooth. Even parking it is convenient. What appeals to me the most about my car is its performance and comfort. I’m happy driving this car. Would like to drive a bigger one, like a Honda City, which is also very comfortable. I’ve also liked driving the Toyota, which I enjoyed for a few years in the USA.

As for women drivers, I think the difference is that men are busy watching women, so that’s why they’re so bad on the road! I believe women make good drivers simply because they are of serene temperament, and don’t lose their cool easily.

There are fewer women drunk drivers for instance, and as a rule, they tend to be more careful, and cautious when on the road. Guys get easily enraged by fellow drivers, and tend to go vindictive with them, but this rarely, if ever, happens with women drivers.

PRIYA-CHETTY RAJAGOPALAN, General Manager, DBS Business Centre, And Regional Manager, Asia, ABCN

I drive a Santro. Initially I didn’t quite take to the car, with its tall boy image, but slowly its performance got me addicted. I love the power steering and the power brakes in my car, it smoothens driving a great heap I look for performance and affordability when choosing a car for myself.

I think women instinctively make good drivers. I drive like a dream when there’s no man sitting next to me! Women also tend to read road signals, switching lanes, etc, more easily and better than men. But women are 50 per cent poorer parkers than men. There is some spatial sense difference between men and women, while men can kinetically sense the physical space available to park when reversing, women have to actually see that space before doing a reverse park.

ANURADHA MAHESH, Co-Proprietor Carbon
I drive a Maruti 800 and occasionally I drive the family car, a Mitsubishi Lancer. I find the Maruti 800 comfortable, neat and functional. More than emotional benefits, it offers me practical ones. For me, comfort and functionality are very important.

Women drivers! Don’t we drive the men crazy? We are instinctively cautious, and safe drivers. There isn’t too much drunk driving either. I think men are too conscious of this gender bias, and get affected by it too, rather than we do. I guess we can’t help it! We’re just too cool!!

CHARMAINE SHACKLETON GODINHO, Former Model
I still drive the Maruti 800 Deluxe that I won for the Femina `Look Of The Year’ in 1995. The sentimental bonding is not allowing me to let go! I would now like to drive the Mitsubishi Pajero and then I feel I will be able to fly... like an aircraft... on top of things.

I guess I’d love a Pajero for the comfort and the feel of a bigger car, for more stability, safety and dominance on the road. Besides, I know I’ll look grand driving around in it!

Of course, women are good drivers because by nature, we know the limits. We can be fast but not rash, careful but not boring... and we’d rather be safe than sorry!

ANU SORABJEE, Entrepreneur
I currently drive my husband’s Fiat Siena. But in an ideal world, I would love to drive a Mercedes 230 two-seater convertible. As an everyday car, I require something small, compact and easy to drive, with enough space at the back for my child and my Labrador to be comfortable, and enough room in the boot for loads of luggage.
I don’t think being a good driver has anything to do with being male or female - more with the fact that one is either a good driver or a bad one — male or female.

KIRAN UTTAM GHOSH, Designer
“I drive the Hyundai Accent, but would like to be driven in a Ferrari for sure! For me comfort and driving ease are very important while choosing a car. The Accent fulfils these qualities to a large extent. It has great manoeuvrability and comfort.

If you ask me, in my personal opinion, after all these 16 years that I have been driving, women don’t make good drivers, because our minds are always full with too many things and so I, for instance, end up concentrating less on the road ahead or signs and become scatty on the road!

ANURADHA VAKIL, Textile Revivalist And Designer
I like to be driven in my own Maruti Zen or in the family car, a Maruti Esteem, because I feel comfortable in both and given the notorious traffic in Ahmedabad, both cars are pretty manageable.

I especially prefer my Zen because of its compactness. For me, comfort and colour are very important parameters; I need a well-functioning air conditioner for the harsh heat of Ahmedabad and that is also why I prefer a white coloured car. I think women make as good or bad drivers as men!

Rani Mukherjee