In a survey of more than 1,000 motorists carried out by the RAC Foundation, 87 per cent of drivers, many of them women, said that they had been a road rage victim at least once, while 20 per cent claimed to have experienced it more than ten times. Even more alarming, 71 per cent had indulged in road rage themselves and most felt justified in either perpetrating or responding aggressively to road rage.

One of the main fears for women drivers on their own or with small children, is of being approached by a stranger in a deserted car park, late at night or having broken down by the side of the road and another car pulls up next to you. These situations are few and far between, but mega-stressful all the same and we know they happen to others.

Which is why female friendly Vauxhall car dealership Evans Halshaw’s safety awareness course for women drivers (Watling Street, Milton Keynes) gets the FOXY thumbs up for including practical instruction on personal awareness and self-protection, basic car maintenance and advice about reducing motoring risks and so-called ‘road rage’.

To get the message across, volunteers will be invited to take part in role-play to learn how to beat the bullies behind the wheel and how to use everyday objects for practical self-protection and to make a quick getaway from any would-be attacker.

Well done Evans Halshaw.

Anybody interested in attending the free Women in the Driving Seat event on Thursday, October 15 (men and women are welcome by the way and no one will be pressured to buy anything) can phone Lynne Raymond on 0845 604 0492 for information and to reserve places.

FOXY Steph