by Cynthia Wall

Created on: December 18, 2009   Last Updated: February 26, 2010

Women drive alone through choice and necessity. Whether it’s the woman driving all night to help a family member in need or the midwife hurrying to a delivery, women, like men, have many instances when they must drive alone.  Since women are more often the victims of night-time crimes, it makes sense for the feminine sex to be cautious and take precautions to stay safe.

 1. Don’t be alone. Of course, it’s always safer to have company especially on a long haul. With drivers trading off, one driver can sleep while the other drives. But if you have to go it alone, you may want to consider a companion of another sort.  Some women go as far as buying “Buddy on Demand” a reusable blow-up man that fits in the glove compartment and plugs into the 12v outlet. There are also blow up Dobermans and Rottweilers, whose silhouettes at night appear convincing.  Actually, having a dog ride with you if you need to go out at night alone is a good idea. Not only is the dog company, it guarantees the safety of your car when you’re out of it and gives you greater security when re-entering.

 2. Make sure you don’t have to stop on a dark highway. Have your car inspected to ensure that it is in top running condition. Tires should be properly inflated. Your gas tank should be full. Never take a chance on starting the next leg of your journey with a half tank especially if you’re not sure whether the next services are.

 3. Don’t let another motorist stop you, even a policeman. Unless you’re on a well-traveled road in the daytime, continue on slowly to a safe place before stopping for a traffic citation. A real policeman will understand your concern. He’ll also understand if you just roll down your window a little and ask for his name and badge number so you can verify him with the police station.

 A car following you closely that flashes his bright lights in your mirror or who attempts to push you over to the side of the road is obviously Danger with a Capital D. You need to speed up, honk your horn, and drive to a safe place. Know where the nearest police station is. Pull into a gas station and honk your horn loudly. Even going into a residential neighborhood while honking your horn will bring people outside. People are your key to safety.

 4. Make sure you’re properly rested and feeling well.  The key is that you don’t want to have to stop someplace that isn’t

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