Pictured above: Would-be attacker Grant Hicks gets more than he bargained for from a visitor during women's awareness and self protection role-play at Stratstone Land Rover Solihull's Women at the Wheel evening

A car confidence evening organised by a Land Rover dealership in Solihull has made local women more aware of how to protect themselves against the dangers they could face on the road.

Most of the time, we rely on our cars to get us where we want to go and they do precisely that. But what would you do about a puncture or breakdown late at night? What if another driver suddenly cuts you up in an act of apparent road rage? Many drivers lack either the know-how or the confidence to cope with such tricky motoring situations. That's why Stratstone in Stratford Road, Solihull, ran a free 'Women At The Wheel' evening on Thursday, February 25. 

More than 100 women (and quite a few men) attended the evening, which was a self-help course organised by Stratstone to help educate local women drivers on the basics of mechanics and personal self-protection. It included roadside get-you-home tips, defensive driving and how to ward off a possible 'road rage' attacker.

Karate instructor and self-protection specialist Grant Hicks made the subject of defending yourself from a would-be mugger both entertaining and instructive. He developed the personal safety theme and demonstrated a quick-fire method of foiling a would-be assailant, which involved disarming him - or her - in three easy moves with the aid of everyday objects such as a torch or a pen.

"Women are perceived as being more vulnerable than men and are seen as an easy target when it comes to road rage," said Grant. "Also, other people are scared to get involved, even if they see it's a woman being attacked, so you have to be able to defend yourself."

The psychology behind dangerous and aggressive driving behaviour and dealing with behind-the-wheel bullies was also explored by ex-Police Chief Inspector Vic Botterill, who gave his audience advice about avoiding the need to use one of Grant's techniques when faced with road rage. "Mouthing sorry can stop a minor incident turning into road rage," he said. "If you know you're wrong, just say it. If it's gone beyond that and you're dealing with a violent man, keep your distance - invading his personal space isn't going to make the situation better. Speak calmly and never, ever, smile. That will only pour petrol onto what is an emotional bonfire," emphasised Vic.

Pictured above: The Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull, learn all about dealing with road-side emergencies from Land Rover technicians

The visitors headed for Stratstone's workshops, where volunteers were encouraged to change a car's wheel under the supervision of the Land Rover dealership's service technicians and were given practical advice including dealing with roadside emergencies, routine car maintenance and checking oil and fluid levels.

Cllr Norman Davies, Mayor of Solihull, and his wife Brenda, praised Stratstone Solihull's practical approach: "I didn't know what I should do if my car broke down by the roadside until tonight, but now I feel I could cope with most situations. I don't think women can afford any longer to ignore the dangers on our roads," confessed Brenda. "Stratstone's Women at the Wheel evening was well organised and great fun too. I feel that we have all learned something useful about cars today.

"I've never had to change a wheel before and I certainly found the awareness and self-protection role-play useful. I'm sure that classes like this would help other women a great deal," added Brenda.

Retired office manager Vanessa Glennan agreed that the practical approach was best: "I found the discussions about 'road rage' and how to deal with confrontation situations on our roads very interesting and now I know I can do it if my car breaks down when I'm on my own. It's good that courses like these equip women to take control in these situations and be better able to cope with today's road conditions," she said.