IN an effort to control accidents on our roads, a group of women drivers in Labasa, Vanua Levu attended a free clinic organsied by Asco Motors this week.
The clinic was aimed at helping women who drive to contribute effectively to road safety.
Asco Motors customer relations manager Camari Naua said the program was exclusively run by the company to improve its customers' safety on Fiji's roads.
"It is also a two-stage course and the first stage is an introductory stage where women are taken through the basic know-how of driving. The second stage involves stakeholders such as Land Transport Authority (LTA) and insurance companies," Ms Naua said.
"This is the first time we are getting this course to the north and the women are going through the initial stage regarding the basics of driving, covering simple topics like jump-starting a battery, changing tyres, and other basic vehicle handling issues," she said.
Ms Naua said women could consult their nearest Asco Motors office if they needed to be part of such a course.
Speaking at the short course Asco Motors National Service manager Sanjeet Kumar told participants they could contribute effectively to road safety if they stuck to the rules.
"Driving is an art and it involves skills. Studies have shown that women are better drivers and this course contributes to making better women drivers," Mr Kumar said.
Topics discussed included basic vehicle routine maintenance, basic maintenance of engines and vehicle parts, road safety and other basic topics.
Course participant Selina Lee Wah said the course was an eye-opener.
She said she was glad to be a part of an educational training.
"We, the women of Labasa that attended the course, are very grateful to Asco Motors for having the insight to include us in a course like this," she said.