There's nothing better than a woman who gets behind the wheel and knows exactly how to handle her business without needing a man's input. Judy Haynes, director of Women's Ministries of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, says the organisation's car care course–Women in the Driver's Seat–gives women a feeling of empowerment. Let the men ride "shot gun," it's the women's turn to take the wheel.
Females and cars
All too often, women seem to find themselves in sticky situations when it comes to their vehicles. In years gone by, it used to be all well and fine for a damsel in distress to stop any Tom, Dick or Harry to help her change a tyre or put oil in her stalled vehicle. But times have changed. With crime escalating out of control and criminals seemingly calling all the shots in this country, it is time women became more proactive as far as maintaining their vehicles. According to Haynes, the car care course provides women with the much needed knowledge of how to effectively handle roadside emergencies or accidents, should they occur. "Women shut down all over the place and these days you don't know who to trust to ask for help," she says, matter-of-factly. "It's imperative for women to know how to help themselves. We need to be empowered."
Get acquainted with your vehicle
Stressing the need for motorists to be alert while on the nation's roads, Haynes, who has been a driver for the past 15 years, says it is also essential for women to be fully acquainted with their vehicles. "One of the objectives of this course is to ensure that women do not receive the KFC advertisement experience," she says, with a laugh. (The ad shows a man munching on a bucket of chicken while giving a woman instructions on how to change her tyre).
The San Fernando resident, who also believes that every woman should enrol in a defensive driving class, says one of the biggest challenges women have with their vehicles is how to keep it in good condition.
"As they say, all women do is jump in and drive. A car is a major investment, so to keep the life of that car as long as possible, you need to care for it," she says.
Taught by Moses Edmund, Head of the Auto Mechanics Department at Malick Senior Comprehensive School, Haynes says the course is one worth attending and will be a step in the right direction for women, as each participant will receive individual attention.
Men need not despair. Haynes says they are more than welcome to take part too.
More about Women
in the Driver's Seat
Women in the Driver's Seat is set to begin in September at the Fyzabad Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Some of the courses include:
Visual Inspection of Vehicle,
Jacking and Towing Safety,
Operational Procedure and
Safety Precautions,
Road Wheel Inspection,
Basic Wheel Alignment and
Removal and Installation of Wheels.
The car course rolls around again in Princes Town in October.
