Tag Archives: Car confidence course

road accident

Lessons Louise learned from her car accident

index

I met Louise Budgen of Utility Warehouse at a recent Athena business meeting in Brighton. We agreed to talk to each other about our respective businesses afterwards and it was during this exchange that Louise told me about a serious car accident she’d been involved in when a friend was driving.

They were merrily travelling in lane two at the side of an overseas lorry when it pulled out just when they were nearly in front of it. The lorry clipped the rear offside of the car, sending it spinning round and round and then rolling over a couple of times before landing upside down in some bushes, just off the hard shoulder. Thankfully not onto the motorway or any barrier or wall but still a totally terrifying experience.

Whilst such instances are thankfully very rare, Louise learned several valuable lessons and we asked her to put these in writing so we could share them with others who might appreciate this advice and support.

This is Louise’s story

“My accident has taught me a lot on a personal front. Life can be taken away from us all in a second. Life is precious and can be very short so we need to enjoy everyday as if it is our last. After all, we don’t know if it is going to be…

My accident left me suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the best part of a year. This was a very frustrating time for me as I simply couldn’t do the things I would normally be able to do. I’m talking about simple things like walking the dogs or thinking about more than one thing at a time. I simply couldn’t concentrate, relax or enjoy myself for ages.

I now make sure I take time for me and do not rush around like a headless chicken ALL the time.

To help me, I needed some coaching from different specialists to get me back on track. The enormously positive impact they had on me encouraged me to train to become a coach myself.

On reflection, many good things have come about as a result of this awful accident too.

I am much more appreciative of the small things life offers and grateful for my life as it is; no longer wishing for more. I am definitely living more in the moment which is such a lovely thing to do, enjoying each day by day. Yes I have big plans for my future but today is what matters most for me now.

From a motoring point of view, I faced my biggest fear which was of dying in a motorway accident. I have always been a nervous passenger on motorways yet, having survived this experience, my accident has taught me that there are just some things that will happen for no apparent reason and nobody can control everything in their life including what other vehicles and drivers get up to on the road. So I have at last been able to put this event behind me – why should I worry or waste my energy on being worried? Yes, I’m still a nervous passenger (more than a driver) on the motorway but I’m working on this – I am determined this accident will not hold me back in future.

In life, whilst bad things do happen, it is how we deal with them that matters.

blindspot_graphic_700From a practical point of view – always give foreign lorries a wide berth because, when you are in their blind spot, they sometimes can’t see you in the middle lanes of motorways, even though they SHOULD be sufficiently alert to know where all surrounding vehicles are likely to be.

In our case they misjudged the distance and speed they took to pull out into lane 2.

If you are there at the time they won’t see you and will hit you.”

Please see the blind spot image above which illustrates a similar event but not the one Louise experiened.
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Thank you Louise for this insight.

For help re PTSD please contact their website.

We’d recommend any motorist in the same situation consider taking the IAM Roadsmart Confidence After Incident course designed to boost their confidence levels.

We all need a confidence boost and coping mechanisms when we are nervous. Knowing what to do and how means that your driving skills are more intuitive and become automatic.

The more you learn, read and practise the better, more alert and more confident a driver you become.

Coping with foreign lorries is covered within the IAM Roadsmart’s Advanced Driver Course and, having done this programme myself, I can thoroughly recommend it!

FOXY

The Club provides a range of support services for females in need of encouragement and a confidence boost. If you know a female who is struggling to cope with everyday motoring matters, suggest she join the Club or buy her a subscription as a gift. We are then here for her to contact us for advice, information and support whatever the motoring situation. Not only will we save her time and money but we’ll also provide priceless reassurance during the course of a lifetime membership.

You can join the Club online HERE and NOW…

female friendly

Vauxhall Women in the Driving Seat event in Kent

Last week a car confidence evening for women was organised by FG Barnes, a Vauxhall retailer in Kent. This included DIY car mechanics, personal self-protection techniques and tips to help cope with any road rage.

Ladies headed for the car dealership’s workshops where volunteers were encouraged to change a car’s wheel under the supervision of the Vauxhall dealership’s service technicians and were given practical advice including dealing with roadside emergencies, routine car maintenance and checking oil and fluid levels.

Karate instructor and self-protection specialist Grant Hicks then made the subject of defending yourself from a would-be mugger entertaining and instructive.

He developed the personal safety theme and demonstrated a quick-fire method of foiling a would-be assailant, which involved disarming him – or her – in three easy moves with the aid of everyday objects such as a torch or a pen.

“Women are perceived as being more vulnerable than men and are seen as an easy target when it comes to road rage,” said Grant.

“Also, other people can be too scared to get involved, even if they see it’s a woman being attacked, so you have to be able to defend yourself.”

The final ingredient on the night was to do with the psychology behind dangerous and aggressive driving behaviour and dealing with behind-the-wheel bullies.

This was explored by ex-Police Chief Inspector Vic Botterill, who gave his audience advice about avoiding the need to use one of Grant’s techniques when faced with road rage. “Mouthing sorry can stop a minor incident turning into road rage,” he said. “If you know you’re wrong, just say it. If it’s gone beyond that and you’re dealing with a violent man, keep your distance – invading his personal space isn’t going to make the situation better. Speak calmly and never, ever, smile. That will only pour petrol onto what is an emotional bonfire.” emphasised Vic.

As well as FOXY Lady Drivers Club attending, Max and Val Power and Margaret Robertson from the Mid Kent Group of Advanced Motorists were on hand to discuss their organisation’s various advanced driving courses.

Daniella Smith, a talking therapist for the Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Trust commented: “I didn’t know very much about my car or what I should do if my car broke down by the roadside until tonight, but now I feel I could cope with most situations. I don’t think women can afford any longer to ignore the dangers on our roads,” she confessed. “Tonight’s Women in the Driving Seat evening was well organised and great fun too. I feel that I have learned something useful about my car today.”

Philippa Nelson-Gracie, Mayoress of Maidstone, agreed that the practical approach was best. “In my opinion, car care and maintenance are areas where many women feel they don’t know enough.”

“We were put at our ease tonight and not made to feel stupid in any way when asking questions. Events like this can only be beneficial and I think other car retailers should be following suit” she added.

For further information about Women in the Driving Seat evenings at FG Barnes please contact Ann Gibbs on tel 01622 755 531.