I believe I might have covered some of this some time ago, but yesterday I saw an advertisement on the TV of a young lady changing a tire. Her father came around after she had finished and was pleased she had learned the lesson well. I was 21 before I learn to drive, and felt it was necessary for me to be able to take care of the car when I was out and about by myself. Changing a tire was one of the things I felt would possibly come up, so I wanted to know how to do it properly. It wasn't an easy lesson, but one I tackled with the best I had in me. In the first place getting those lug nuts loose, as shown in the TV Ad was the biggest problem. Especially when they had been put on at the Tire Shop.
In a learning experience it was one thing, but on a main street in town, outside the Post Office, it was just a bit more! At least I was alone at the time. Didn't have either of the children with me to keep calm while I went about getting a flat off and the spare on. Oh, and then it was a full size tire. It had been raining, so that added to the problem. I got the car jacked up, and with every bit of leverage I could manage finally got the lug nuts removed and the tire off. Now with my size at the time, not being height alone, it was a job. I was able to get the tire out of the trunk, put the flat in, and then go about mounting the spare. One middle aged man offered to help, but I explained that I wanted to do it. He stayed handy, but didn't try to stop me from what I was successfully doing.
I made sure all the lug nuts were secure. Then I let the car back down and went on my way feeling quite satisfied that I had been able to care for myself in such a circumstance! I still believe that if young ladies want to drive, they should have their Dad or Brother help them learn how to take care of themselves when they are out alone with a car. To be able to change a tire, check the oil or in general have some understanding of the car they are driving will benefit their safety and security.
A young lady should also remember to have her cell phone charged and ready to get help when and where it might be needed. If there is an Insurance that covers Roadside Assistance, than by all means call and take advantage of it, but should something happen where there is a space where cell phones are not working, it will be important to be able to assist ones self in taking care of small emergencies.
It doesn't take up much space to keep a Jumper Cable handy in the truck either. Small preparations are so vital when one is out and about alone. We don't live in a climate where other emergency supplies might be of help, but if one should be living where it could get cold suddenly, it is always wise to keep Space Blankets in the trunk, or under the front seat. Always have a flash light of some sort as well. One with a red portion will be good in case of an accident. Uncle Paul always made sure he had flares in case of an accident. Many a time he stopped to put out flares when he came upon an accident while driving. The Highway Patrol was always please to replace what he had put out.
Driving is one of things we should not take for granted. It is something that should be done with great care. When our children were ready to drive the first thing I told them was that I was putting a weapon in their care. One false or careless action could be deadly to themselves and any number of other people. They were to remember that speed might be exciting, but being able to control the car was far more important!
Driving in all kinds of weather conditions brought different kinds of hazards and thought should be given to the type of road conditions. The first rain was cause to watch. The road glaze from so much summer use caused road slick that could mean hydroplaning and traction of the tires on the road could be difficult. Thus the car could do all sorts of strange things. Learning to steer when those kinds of things happen will be vital to safety within the car and without as well.
I remember hitting a street where someone had been washing out a Filling Station area. It washed out a slick that I drove over and lost traction in a second. I had a car full of Sisters I had taken to a meeting. The car began to fish tail. Fortunately I had been taught to turn into the various turns the car took. Within a few seconds I had the car under control, we were past the danger area and we continued our journey. Had I not known what to do, we could have gone into a spin, even caused us to roll over. It would have only taken a few seconds and there could have been some serious injuries or even deaths. We can never take driving as a casual thing. Once we get behind the wheel of a car, once we turn on the engine and start moving, we are responsible for everything that car does. It may, or may not be, the conditions of the road, or how someone else is driving that is under our control. What ever we find we must be ready to accept the responsibility to keep things going correctly. True, we cannot control the other drivers, but if we are alert, and keeping our car under control, we can save ourselves.
If your tired, stop, rest and then go on. If you are not well, don't get in the car. If you have to take any kind of medication that could cause you to be less alert, get someone else to drive you, or stay home until you are sure you have yourself capable of doing what may need to be done.
Remember one very important thing as well. If you keep the Commandments of the LORD, you have no need to ignore the Laws of the Road. If it says 25 miles an hour, drive 25 miles an hour in that area. If you follow the guide lines that are marked along the way, you won't get into trouble, or pay high prices for tickets that you don't need. Be a good driver. Be alert and careful. Driving is something that has become so necessary in the time in which we live. No horse and buggy for us. Make sure you leave the house with ample time to make it to your appointed place and ON TIME. MORMON STANDARD TIME is not acceptable. If you know the time you are to be someplace, make sure you give yourself ample time to get ready, leave and arrive with time to spare. Don't slide into the Parking Lot, Jump out of the car and Run to get where you are suppose to be. Now, I am not saying there will be times you can't make it due to traffic, or something that is beyond your control, but NEVER leave it up to chance. Keep yourself ever ready to do what needs to be done with thought and preparation. There will be times when you will be called upon to do something in an emergency. That is when you will need to get a grip on yourself and become part of the solution not part of a problem.
So you want to drive? DO IT - but remember that when you are behind the wheel of any moving object, you can come to one quick stop that could mean the very end of health or life. Your choice, choose very carefully.
Written this 5th day of March 2014
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
