We’re bang in the middle of a month that celebrates strong women in our society, and Bobby Nitro has been carrying articles that show how, in our local car culture, strong women are doing their thing when it comes to motorsport.
Now, there is this debate that rages on and will never really be concluded, as to who is the better driver, a man or a woman, and both sides have good arguments. Some studies suggest women are better drivers but Bobby is not about to open that particular can of worms. Or is it too late already? Moving along
What is known, however, is that the number of women drivers on the roads is growing every day, and there are some tips every driver needs to know.
We’re talking about the basic maintenance of a car here and Bobby wants you to know he is not being sexist.
Basic maintenance has been left to men not because they do it better but because, when the puncture happens, the man springs out of the car first and in an effort to bolster his manhood, gets the tools out and gets that tyre changed. The woman, with more sense, might park off and watch her man do his thing, knowing she could just as well do it but he’s, well, so keen, so let him.
However you look at it, there are some basic skills all drivers should know, and changing a tyre is a prime example. Think about it, if it’s late at night and your tyre blows, for your own safety make sure you can do the job and fast, and this means making sure your tyre-changing gear is always in order.
While we know modern cars may be complex, there are some checks anyone can do. These include checking tyre pressure, water levels, checking oil and other fluid levels such as for the brakes and checking and replacing fuses. Knowing how to set up a jump-start is another necessary skill, as is knowing who to call when the problem is too much to handle.
Hijack and robbery awareness are also high up on the list. Know where and when it is unsafe to drive, and be aware of what cars are around you, especially if they hang for too long. Bobby won’t go into details here, because a little knowledge can be dangerous, suffice to say if you live in an area where this is a reality, find out how to react to save your life.
Lastly, protect yourself, not just as a woman but as a motorist. The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says: “Every driver is guilty of indulging in irresponsible behaviour on the roads, whether this be quickly checking your phone, speeding up to make it through the amber phase of the robot or driving on autopilot.”