You will soon learn of my obsession with 007...How did I get one step closer? I attended a Defensive Driving Coarse on Saturday at the Eastern Creek raceway (yes on the 30 degree day).
I was invited by Elleni from Galmatic a company who aims to educate women on their cars, how to look after them and how they work.They also run 2 hour workshop on the general maintenance of your car, incl. how to change your Tyre- a very skill if you like to drive through parking areas with a lot of speed humps and just fly over them in your mum's 1990 Toyota Seca (trust me- you WILL need to know how to change ata tyre).
This driving coarse was such a great experience, Mark (the man with the crap load of driving experience and the instructor) took us through some road rules that you knew about, but also weren't quite sure about. Vehicle safety was the biggest wake up call, we can't just assume that since we're in car we'll be okay. In fact, the only difference between cars and motorcycles is the bonnet and the boot, the side panels are just full of air. So learning how to drive defensively could save lives.
There was also a practical component to the day, so this meant that I was able to take my Astra (Ella) onto the track- and boy was she excited! It was then that I really understood the difference between doing 40km and 80km. Without other cars on the road, you realise how fast 80km is and how much damage it could do.
So the main lesson of the day is (as obvious as it is) obey the road rules, don't get distracted by the mobile or by your own awesome singing, pay attention to the roads and DO THE SPEED LIMIT. You stop a lot quicker at 40km than at 80km.
Sorry to get all preachy, but as someone who has lost a loved one from a car accident it's so important to look after yourself as well as others in the road. Ask yourself, is your life (or someone else's) worth the rush?
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