From busy city traffic to tense moments at robots and parking areas, South African drivers face myriad frustrations. A cool head goes a long way to keeping yourself and others safe on the road.

You might encounter aggressive drivers. While you cannot control another driver’s behaviour, you can control how you respond. These people want a reaction. It is safest not to give them one.

Avoid eye contact, keep your windows closed and do not engage in an argument. Creating distance is not weakness—it keeps you in control.

Arrive Alive’s guidance for women driving alone highlights the importance of planning ahead, remaining aware of your surroundings and taking practical precautions. This includes parking in public or the privacy of your home.

The engine is off, but safety stays in place. Protect yourself when parking by making these steps routine.

• Choose well-lit parking areas wherever possible. It increases visibility to others.
• Park near entrances or areas with foot traffic for the same reason.
• Have your keys ready before reaching your vehicle. Standing outside the vehicle searching through a handbag creates unnecessary distraction.
• Check your surroundings as you approach your car (learn about situational awareness in our Exposed to Empowered blog)
• Take a stroll around your vehicle and peek in the back seats before opening the door.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, you are allowed to leave.

Feeling confident on the road does not mean nothing unexpected will happen. It means you have prepared yourself to handle it.

Beame’s MyPanic adds to your preparedness, giving you the peace of mind that armed response or medical assistance is only a tap away.

You don’t have to have a Beame device to benefit from MyPanic. It is a standalone personal safety app to which you can subscribe.

The app has recently launched two new features: Ride and Meet. With Meet, you can log your meeting details and expected duration, ensuring someone is always aware of your plans.