As a lone woman driver, it's worth taking some time to look at your safety. At Express insurance we care about your safety, and there are a few things that should become a habit, if you are setting off by yourself. Make sure that your breakdown cover is current, your mobile phone is charged and has credit, and also carry a pen, paper and a torch. Plan your journey and also where possible let the people at your destination know when to expect you, and the route that you are taking.

Focus on always choosing when and where to stop, rather than someone or something else causing you to stop where you don't want to. So before you start, always make sure that your car is in good condition, especially the tires, water, oil and petrol. Never stop if you don't have to, even if someone tries to flag you down, keep driving and when it's safe to do so pull over, either a service station or somewhere busy, and alert the police. Never pick up hitchhikers. Make sure that you have more than enough petrol in your tank, to make the journey again so that you can choose when to stop and which petrol station.

Whilst driving if possible keep the doors locked and valuables out of sight. If you do have to open your window, open it as little as possible. If you car starts to experience problems pull in where it's safest or near a phone. But if you don't have choice, phone for assistance, then stay in your vehicle with the doors locked, or if you have to flag down another car, never get in that car. If you breakdown on a motorway use the roadside phones, as they alert the police to your situation, stay out of your vehicle, up the embankment, until help arrives, but leave your passenger car door open, so that you can jump in and lock the doors if you need to.

If you feel that your car is being followed, flash your lights and sounds you horn, and only pull in where it's busy and you can alert the police.

As a female driver, it is always sensible to be aware of where you park, especially if you are coming back to your car after dark, as the character of a street or car park can change once the offices have closed. When returning to you car, remember to keep your keys to hand. Always park in a well lit busy area. Never sit in your car for a long time once you have returned to your car.

Planning and being aware of the situation that you are in, are the best tools in your armory to keep you safe and to enjoy your driving.