'Your safety matters': How Bengaluru auto driver's note is reassuring women and winning the internet

Picture this: It’s past midnight, and you are a woman coming back home from someplace else — alone. You book a cab or hail an auto, and share your live location with a reliable friend — in short, all the necessary means to be taken to feel “safe.

”And yet, at the back of your mind, you are constantly anxious, until you actually step inside your home.This is not a rare occurrence in a woman’s life. All around the world — especially in India — this, in fact, is the norm. Women always have to be extra conscious and careful, whether they are amidst a crowd or commuting alone.Unless you come across an auto driver who goes the extra mile to make you feel safe!

A note of reassurance

When they say, “words make wonders,” they are probably talking about notes like this!In a now-viral video on the internet, a Bengaluru auto driver was seen driving his vehicle with a sweet note stuck inside: “I’m a father/brother too.

Your safety matters. Sit back comfortably.”Imagine a simple and thoughtful message, such as that, when the same vehicle is driving a woman home past midnight! It’s not just a gesture of thoughtfulness — but a symbol of genuine care and empathy.In the video that went viral on the internet, the woman traveling in the auto was heard saying, “It’s 12 in the night, and I am traveling in a Rapido auto, and then I read this, and now I am actually feeling safe.”

This reassurance wasn’t just about feeling looked out for, but the note emphasised that the driver saw all passengers as human beings deserving of respect and safety, just as he would want for his own family.In fact, thanks to the wholesomeness of it, the video earned praise from thousands of netizens who called it a “Peak Bengaluru moment!”

The social impact

It isn’t a random video on the internet that hits you with a temporary dopamine rush — social media users really embraced the moment and ran with it!One user commented, “I know this city from last 20 years !!! It is the safest city for everyone,” while another said, “This is what we want - and exactly what we should do.”Another user mentioned, “These are real namma Bengaluru auto drivers and they have a huge responsibility,” while one more user took pride in saying, “Kannadigaru… Karnataka… my pride, my strength, my safest home.”Now, here’s the thing. Public transport safety — especially for women travelling alone after dark — is a topic that regularly sparks concern in urban India. Although many cities are making an effort to improve safety, reality can sometimes be very different.The message "Your safety matters" is not just a minor message of comfort but symbolizes an understanding of commuters' concerns and experiences. Additionally, for most females, traveling alone during night hours can sometimes be a stressful experience, and such acts can ease anxiety levels and help in building trust. Therefore, in this given situation, more than a message being conveyed, a message of empathy and understanding is being portrayed.Although individual cases of harassment or unpleasant rides make news occasionally, there have been instances where commuters have reported amiable and efficient drivers as well.The viral video shows how a small, proactive message can go a long way, reaffirming trust and shifting the narrative toward positive behaviour on the roads.