ALT-1 Personal Safety for Women Drivers
Women can drive safely, whether on city streets or the open highway, day and night, by following a few simple rules.1. Before you take to the road, be sure your car is maintained in good running condition, including engine, brakes, electrical system, adequately filled gas tank and tires with good treads. Take personal items you may need, including medications, bottled water and a first-aid kit.2. Anticipate potential problems by having a fully-charged cell phone or similar electronic communications device close at hand. Have one-touch phone numbers pre-set on it, including family, friends and police. Don’t use the cell phone while driving unless absolutely necessary, and you can use it while follow all safe driving requirements. Otherwise, pull off the road to make and receive calls.3. For maximum communications service, particularly when planning a long distance drive or visiting unfamiliar areas, install on the dashboard or have a hand-held global positioning system (GPS). This device can give you many kinds of instant information, including road conditions ahead, explicit directions to destinations, locations and emergency phone numbers of local police and hospitals.4. Follow all safety rules when driving. They include buckling your safety belt, always keep the car doors locked when you’re inside and when you’ll leave the car parked. Be sure the emergency brake is secured before you leave the car.5. When you’re driving with children in the car, be sure they’re safely buckled up at all times when the car is moving. When parked, don’t ever leave the engine running, especially if there are children in the car, even if you belive you’ll be back in a few minutes.6. Don’t pick up strangers, or if they want you to stop and get out of your car. No matter how friendly they seem, if their car has broken down or if they appeal to you for any reasons for your help. If you believe there is need for aid, keep your doors locked, call 9-1-1 and ask the police to help the people who told you they’re in trouble.7. Avoid all potential for road rage or other dangers on the road directed at you by another driver. Don’t argue, ridicule or accept a challenge to race with another driver. If you believe you’re being harassed or followed, call 9-1-1, give the operator your location and drive to the nearest well-lighted gas station to find personal safety.8. Be realistic about your need to rest on long drives. The maximum you should stay behind the wheel without a break is three to four hours. When you need rest, especially at night on the highway, pull into well-lighted station and, with doors locked, take a one- or two-hour nap. Then, fortified with a light meal and coffee, proceed on your way.9. For car journeys across the country of more than a thousand miles, especially if you’re on a tight schedule, a woman can find maximum personal safety by sharing the driving with a responsible friend or adult relative. Two people can go virtually non-stop if each does four-hour shifts at the wheel, one driving while the other rests in the back seat.10. The same rules apply to all drivers, including women, to practice alertness, courtesy, personal safety and intelligent driving at all times while on the road. Those who follow those simply rules can be sure they and their cars will arrive at their destinations on time and in good condition.
