Tag Archives: road rage

women drivers

Ladies evening in Dunstable

Changing Wheel_thurlownunnWe’re often asked about courses for women who want to know how to DIY re car maintenance so here’s a good one for ladies in Dunstable this time. These are not sales occasions, more community evenings with women’s road safety at the top of the agenda.

We’ve all felt uneasy at times, hearing about others being approached by a stranger in a deserted car park late at night or breaking down by the side of the road and having another car pull up alongside…

Fortunately these situations are few and far between, but they do happen and we all need to know what to do to avoid becoming a victim should it ever be our turn.

Vauxhall retailer Thurlow Nunn in High Street South, Dunstable, in Bedfordshire, is organising a free ‘Women in the Driving Seat’ evening on Wednesday, November 18.

Practical instruction on personal awareness and self-protection, basic car care and maintenance for beginners and self-help will be top of the agenda. Advice will also be given on reducing the risks women face when driving for work or socially, including dealing with so-called ‘road rage’ in other drivers.

Personal safety

The increase in road traffic in the UK – up by 50 per cent in the last two decades – is an important factor and this is set to rise by an alarming 100 per cent in the next 20 years, predict motoring experts. In a survey of more than 3,000 UK motorists by YouGov for an insurance company, it was revealed that nearly 1 in 10 (9%) have been threatened with physical violence and over half (56%) of drivers questioned agreed that road users are generally less courteous than five years ago.

Even more alarming was the revelation that over a fifth (21%) of road rage sufferers have argued with another motorist because of road rage, while 36% admitted it makes them drive more aggressively. Almost one in ten (8%) said they’ve followed another driver as a result.

“Personal safety and security are imperative for everyone, particularly women, today. The menace of aggressive, inconsiderate driving on our roads seems to be increasing at the moment and we believe that all it takes is a little care and consideration to avoid situations which can escalate into the kinds of tragic incidents we have all heard about recently,” said Ivan Pletersky, general manager of Thurlow Nunn Dunstable.

“We want everybody to enjoy their independence and freedom and be able to travel safely and confidently on our roads. We hope that by highlighting the risks facing women drivers, it will provide them with a wealth of information and practical advice,” he added.

Tackling road rage

In addition to car safety, the psychology behind car confidence will be explored by ex-Police Chief Inspector and human behaviour specialist Vic Botterill, with practical advice on safe driving and combating the hazards of modern driving, including so-called ‘road rage’, which members of the audience can join in with. Advice will also be given about the frequent causes of aggressive, dangerous driving and ‘motorway madness’, with the audience encouraged to share their own experiences and how they could have been avoided.

But the course is not designed to encourage motorists to take the law into their own hands emphasised Ivan: “Our Women in the Driving Seat evening is free to anyone who wishes to steer clear of trouble or be able to deal with their own, personal ‘road rage’.” he explained.

Self defence role play

During the event, volunteers from the audience will be invited to take part in self defence role-play by self protection specialist and head of the Realistic Self Defence Organisation, Andy Williams. They will be shown how to beat the bullies behind the wheel and, if diplomacy fails, how everyday objects to hand such as car keys, pens and possibly deodorant sprays can come in very handy.

Representatives from the Dunstable branch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) will also be there to discuss their organisation’s various advanced driving courses with interested visitors. And there will be a representative from FOXY too.

Few vehicles come equipped with full tool-kits nowadays, so Thurlow Nunn’s service technicians will also offer visitors practical hands-on instruction on dealing with roadside emergencies, routine car maintenance and car safety checks. The evening is free and all will be encouraged to roll up their sleeves and ‘have a go’ themselves under the guidance of expert motor technicians, promises the dealership. Gloves will be provided for hygiene purposes.

Anybody interested in attending the free Women in the Driving Seat event at Thurlow Nunn on Wednesday, November 18 can telephone Ivan Pletersky on 01582 575944 or e-mail: ivanpletersky@thurlownunn.co.uk to reserve places.

women's car insurance

Road rage highlighted by #redmist hashtag

youngfoxydriverResearch findings recently published by black box motor insurer Ingenie confirm that as many as three out of four young drivers have been a victim of road rage during their early driving years.

On average, young drivers report having been on the receiving end of abuse on the road around four times (3.64) since they passed their test.

As we all know, bad behaviour can infect others which may explain why 65% of young drivers interviewed didn’t consider themselves road ragers yet 84% admitted to carrying out one or more acts of road rage since they passed their test.

Road rage gets a #redmist hashtag to raise awareness here

This is why Ingenie’s #Redmist hashtag campaign (colourfully named to describe the anger that descends upon motorists who let their emotions rule their driving) interested us and why we asked them to provide this information for a Guest Blog that should interest our young readers and their parents.

Apparently ‘other drivers’ behaviour’ is the most common road rage trigger (66%) followed by ‘running late’ (39%), ‘congestion’ (35%) and ‘roadworks’ (32%). The research also reminds us how important our emotional state is, identifying other triggers such as: ‘A bad day at work’ (27%), ‘Lack of sleep’ (21%), ‘An argument with a partner, friend or colleague’ (20%) and ‘Illness’ (9%). More than one in 20 (7%) admit that their financial situation can make them increasingly susceptible to the #redmist.

Knowing that everyone has their prejudices on our roads (often women drivers let’s face it) I wasn’t at all surprised to see that young drivers claim that older drivers were their #redmist bugbear. Let’s not bring statistics or logic into any such debate here – if they think that, that’s their truth as they see it. Plus ca change!

If this subject interests you or you would like to encourage a young driver here why not join in this quiz here to check out what sort of driver you/they are?. If you score highly and/or learn from this, chances are you can save money having a black box fitted to your car (terms apply etc).

Here are Ingenie’s #Redmist road rage research findings…

FOXY

PS: Any young drivers (female or male) keen to understand and improve their driving behaviour will benefit from attending one of the motoring events we attend and which are organised by AVF Communications. These include memorable sessions about road rage (how to recognise it and what to do), as well as DIY car maintenance and self defence. All great skills to have in any drivers’ portfolio.

motoring

Calm down dear…

We all remember Michael Winner’s advice to ‘calm down’ and it’s definitely sound advice when you’re battling with what could be your own feelings of road rage as a result of others motoring antics.

Sensible advice this week from road safety charity the IAM reminds us how easy it is to get stressed by everyday motoring mistakes others make. Here are the highlights singled out by their Chief Examiner Peter Rodger and whilst I do detect a male flavour in some instances it’s well worth thinking through the psychology of all this in advance.

1. Rather than adopt a superior than thou attitude when other drivers annoy you, remember that they probably realise they have made a mistake and give them the time and space to sort their error out. They probably don’t need you telling them the error of their ways…

2. The horn is there simply to get others’ attention and let them know that you are there. If someone else uses it to express annoyance, don’t join in because it achieves nothing but adds to the stress for others. Just let it pass.

3. If you spot a vehicle coming towards you with its full beam on, do remember that this is probably a case of forgetfulness on the part of the driver. By switching your full beam on (which many motorists do in retaliation) you are simply adding to the risk of that car having an accident.

4. As tempting as it is to close the traffic gap at junctions before letting others in ahead of you, why not set an example by giving way at busy junctions and/or allowing traffic to merge into your lane when necessary – for example, at a motorway junction.

5. If another road user is driving threateningly, try to maintain extra distance between your car and theirs. Try not to react by accelerating, braking or swerving suddenly, as this will reduce your car control, could affect others and will probably wind up the other driver.

6. Planning as far ahead as possible puts you in the best state of mind to predict other people’s actions and mistakes on the road, allowing you to cope with them more easily.

Rodger said: “Road rage never improves these situations, and puts you, your passengers, and other road users around you at risk. The best thing is to stay calm and continue to drive sensibly, not worsen the situation.”

I’d add that on some occasions it’s easier and safer in the long term to say sorry, even when it wasn’t our fault. Let’s face it, most women have learned how to concede with grace when some men can’t concede for loss of face.

To find out more about coping with road rage situations, why not consider attending a dealership evening for ladies that teaches you how to spot and deal with this including, heaven forbid, self defence tactics if things get out of hand.

FOXY

women drivers

Strategic uses of hairspray at times of stress

BBC Sussex contacted us recently to ask about instances of road rage and I was able to tell him Jill’s story as we’d discussed this at a previous networking evening.

She was happy to be interviewed about this subsequently and you can hear what she said on the Danny Pike show here.

The point is that the man in question clearly had a superiority and gender complex when it came to motoring. As he saw it, he was in the right at the Shoreham roundabout, and it sounds as if the fact that the other driver was female just added fuel to his fury. In our experience he isn’t alone in this attitude, much as some motorists associate bad driving with little old men wearing hats, many men automatically conclude that any suspect driving behaviour must mean a female driver whereas the problem may well lie with our misguided perceptions in the first place.

In this instance this bias affected his driving ability and, potentially, the safety of a queue of motorists in his wake.

Having lured Jill into the welcome relief of seeing him head for a different exit at the next roundabout (some 5 miles later) he then turned tail and followed her into Steyning. So he was now behind her rather than in front which is a more worrying scenario.

Fortunately Jill could remember the good advice we’d both been given at a Women In Gear Ladies Dealership evening at West Sussex Kia earlier this year. In short, never drive to your home because he’ll then know where you live. Much better to pull into a well lit and busy forecourt where others are or drive to a Police Station you know will be open (which may be trickier in future, what with the cuts…).

And most importantly, have a pen and paper handy so you can write down the registration number – you’ll have to memorise it of course and keep repeating it until you can stop safely and write it down. This means you can then report him to the Police as Jill did. And should the worst come to the worst, or you are accosted in a car park you can’t easily escape from, make sure you know how to lock yourself in your car or have something to defend yourself if he gets too close.

Such as a spray of sorts it was suggested. Hairspray anyone? Ideal for hair emergencies first and foremost – but it’s always good to be prepared just in case…

FOXY

car dealerships

Role play helps women deal with road rage

I’m sure it’s not just me that has felt uneasy being out and about on my own at times. Coping with unwarranted road rage, worrying about footsteps behind you in an empty road or breaking down in an off-the-beaten track area when another motorist pulls in behind you… They could all be innocent situations but what would you do if they weren’t?

Kentish Vauxhall car dealership Hidsons, at its 30 London Road, Rainham, Gillingham address, is tackling these big issues and more in its free ‘Women in the Driving Seat’ evening on Thursday, 23 August 2012.

The evening programme includes three main topics and promises to be a fun and informative evening.

Driving confidence

The psychology behind driving confidence is explored by ex-Police Chief Inspector and human behaviour specialist Vic Botterill, including practical advice given in a lighthearted yet memorable fashion about safe driving and combating the hazards of ‘road rage’.

The audience is encouraged to share their own experiences to do with aggressive, dangerous driving and ‘motorway madness.’

Self defence role play

Volunteers from the audience are invited to take part in role-play situations by self defence specialist Grant Hicks.

Everyone will be shown ways to beat the bullies behind the wheel and, if diplomacy fails, how they can legally use everyday objects normally found about one’s person for personal self-protection and to ensure a rapid escape from a would-be attacker.

Essential car maintenance

Not many vehicles are equipped with full tool-kits nowadays, so Hidsons’ service technicians offer practical hands-on instruction about dealing with roadside emergencies, routine car maintenance and car safety checks.

The evening is free and all will be encouraged to roll up their sleeves and ‘have a go’ themselves under the guidance of expert motor technicians, promises the dealership. Gloves are provided of course!

“Personal safety and security are imperative for everyone, particularly women today. The menace of aggressive, inconsiderate driving on our roads seems to be increasing at the moment and we believe that all it takes is a little care and consideration to avoid situations which can escalate into the kinds of tragic incidents we have all heard about recently,” said Vanessa West, sales manager of Hidsons.

Anybody interested in attending the free Women in the Driving Seat event at Hidsons Vauxhall on Thursday, August 23 can call Maralyn Gorringe on 01992 503129 or email her via maralyn@avfcommunications.eclipse.co.uk to reserve places.

We recommend this and hope to be there on the night.

FOXY