How to Stay Safe and Focused as a Female Driver

Up until the early 1900’s, women were not allowed to have a drive or possess a driver’s license. Since then, women have become a very common sight behind the wheel. Whether it’s driving alone or with a car full of kids, women need to be focused on the road and keeping themselves safe while the car is both still and in motion. Even though insurance agencies consider women as the “safer” drivers and less likely to be injured in a road accident, female drivers are still considered as more vulnerable by most criminals. This can result in criminal acts such as high jacking, intimidation, sexual assault and worse. Learn more below about how to stay safe and focused as a female driver. 

Stay Up to Date on Vehicle Maintenance 

Whether it’s a spontaneous drive or a road trip that has been planned for weeks, it’s important to stay up to date with your vehicle’s maintenance. This includes keeping up with routine oil checks, tire rotations, and services. By staying up-to-date on repairs, you will limit the chances your car will break down and leave you stranded on the side of the road.

In addition to keeping up with maintenance, also be sure to make it a habit of keeping your gas tank at least half full. You never know when you can get stuck in bad weather or heavy traffic that will slow down your arrival and use up extra gas.

Plan Your Trip

If the roads you’ll be traveling on are unfamiliar, do some research before to ensure you’ll be traveling in areas that are populated and well-lit. In addition to using a GPS to ensure you’re on the fastest and most common route, inform others of what time you’re leaving, your estimated travel time and when you should be arriving. Add these people to the speed dial in your phone to quickly inform them of any changes. In addition to these special contacts, add emergency numbers such as local tow companies, hospitals, and car rental companies.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

While driving and while at a stop, be sure to stay aware of your surroundings. This can include making sure that you aren’t being followed by another person or vehicle. According to a set of domestic violence statistics from a Boulder, CO law firm, “As many as 19.3 million women and 5.1 million men in the United States have been stalked in their lifetime.” In addition to watching out for followers, keep an eye out for landmarks and road signs to avoid getting lost and making a wrong turn.