Overtaking down memory lane

What car do you drive?

A Kia Sportage

What do you usually look for in a car?

Not that I have bought a lot of cars, but I guess my priorities would be the following: space, comfort and safety. The car needs to fit my kids and their micro scooters and our climbing gear and all our outdoor stuff. Quite a list!

What was your first car? Were you scared when you first started driving or were you a natural?

The first car I drove was the Bay Radio jeep, a Maruti Gypsy which switched lanes when the wind blew too hard. Come to think of it, it was a little death trap.

Despite the car, I was confident right away. What did not help was the fact that everyone on the street stared at me as I drove, because I was in the brightest, most colourful car on the road.

What was your worst/best car?

I loved the Toyota Celica I used to drive before getting my Kia. I only changed it because it was not the most practical choice when you’re driving little kids around. But it drove like a dream!

What is your dream car?

I don’t have one, I guess I’m not that into cars.

Do you consider yourself to be a good driver?

The best! No, seriously, I am.

What do you keep in your glove box?

CDs (mainly soundtracks from musicals) and a couple of pairs of left-over 3D glasses.

Do you suffer from road rage at all? What drives you mad behind the wheel?

Yes, I do. All the rubbish drivers on the road just drive me insane. Then there are those idiots who try to give me attitude when they don’t seem to know what side of the road we drive on.

There are also people who throw their junk out of the window and those whose rickety old cars (or buses) that spew out stinky black smoke. So the answer to that is a definite yes!

What’s the best music to drive to?

Musicals! Being nice and concealed, my car is the perfect place to sing to my heart’s content.

When they were younger my kids used to enjoy this habit of mine. Sadly, nowadays, they find me embarrassing and tell me to be quiet or... switch to Bay.

Have you ever had a crash? Whose fault was it and how did you deal with it?

Yes, but it really was not my fault (although my dad would probably disagree with this statement, as dads are prone to do). It happened just after I had recovered from a bad accident where I (literally) broke my neck.

Recovery took about eight weeks, during which I had to wear a neck brace. As soon as I was given the green light to remove it, I was overtaking someone who decided to turn right without switching on the indicator. I swerved, spun 360 degrees and slammed against the wall.

Bits of the car were hanging off and it was halfway up the wall but the nimrod whom I was overtaking calmly said ‘oooh no worries, I know a really good panel beater’. In reality the car was a total loss.

I’ve become much more prudent since then...

Do you know how to change a flat wheel? Do you actually do it yourself?

No, of course not, that’s the main reason why God created men. And breakdown service companies, of course.

Who would be your perfect passenger?

My husband, for company, but he can be quite a backseat driver too.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done in a car?

When I was 20, a friend and I were travelling in Spain when we decided to hitch a ride in the middle of the night with two men. In hindsight, it was a very naive and stupid thing to do. Today I shudder when I think about it.

Who cleans your car and how often?

Car wash, once a month – maybe.

Have you ever made a terrible mistake while driving? Any funny stories to tell?

In 1998 my boyfriend (now husband) and I went to Cyprus on holiday. We rented a car but I didn’t have much experience driving as I’d been living in London and I didn’t drive there.

Being so inexperienced I ended up driving on the wrong side of the road onto five lanes of oncoming traffic on the motorway. As you can see, I survived, but it was a close shave.

What do you think of Maltese drivers in general?

Generally I’d say they’re terrible. I’ve actually never met anybody who disagreed with this statement. Having said that, there may still be hope for the future thanks to the stricter driving tests. Yes, hope does spring eternal...