In South Africa the upliftment and empowerment of women in society is at the forefront of mind in August. An essential part of empowerment is ensuring women play a role in their own safety on the road. Capable drivers are not only safe drivers but can undertake basic maintenance while also safeguarding against physical threats.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says every driver must be competent in certain skills. “Never solely rely on another individual for your own road safety. Every woman should invest time and energy into equipping themselves to handle every situation encountered on the roads.
“One can never know when you will encounter a challenge on the road. The best way to prepare for the unexpected is to know what to do if it happens. Equipping yourself for these three driving scenarios will assist in becoming a competent South African driver,” says Hebert.
- Basic maintenance and repairs
Know how to perform basic maintenance on your vehicle. “This includes knowing how to test tyre pressure and inflate tyres if it is incorrect. Know how to check fluid levels including oil, coolant and wiper fluid. Learn what the warning lights in your vehicle signify as well to avoid being caught off-guard.
“Always know how to replace or repair your own tyres. If your vehicle does not have run-flats it is essential to know how to temporarily repair tyres using emergency tyre repair or, failing that, know how to change your tyre. While you may have roadside assistance, it can be faster and safer, particularly in a high-risk situation, to fix it yourself,” says Herbert.
- Hijack awareness
Learn how to quickly identify high-risk situations and listen to your instinct when something seems amiss. “Developing habits like always checking if someone is following you or not driving straight into your driveway can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime. Avoiding a carjacking is never guaranteed making the knowledge of what to do if you are hijacked, an essential.
“This knowledge also empowers you to live with awareness and not fear. Avoiding certain cars or areas under the impression this will protect you from carjackers is a dangerous assumption. Instead, developing higher awareness and greater knowledge will allow one to thrive in the current environment rather than make decisions based out of fear,” says Hebert.
- Knowledge is power
Equip yourself to be the best driver possible. “Being a good driver is about more than passing your initial driving test. Take additional steps to increase your skill level and avoid falling into bad habits after years of driving. Continual training should be seen as a non-negotiable throughout your driving career.
“Additionally, learn what to do should the worst happen. If you are in a car crash, the adrenalin and trauma can affect cohesive thought. If you know what to do before something like this happens, it will assist you to think more clearly. Put emergency contacts and medical information in your sun visor in case you cannot speak for yourself,” says Herbert.
Ensure you empower yourself to be a strong, capable and confident driver on South African roads which are often fraught with challenges.
