GEM sings the praises of a new car accessory

An amazing cure for children’s car sickness, a 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and smoother and more proficient driving style can all be achieved by using a car accessory that costs just a few pounds according to GEM Motoring Assist member Audrey Wixon.

Audrey says the route to better driving comes from employing an empty fruit bowl and placing it in the boot of the car.

Audrey, who is a driving instructor, explains: “You fill the fruit bowl with water, place it in a plastic container to cope with any spillage, pop it in the boot and then drive in a smooth progressive manner in an attempt to spill the minimum amount of water.”

It is method she has used to help her pupils who drive erratically, tear off at speed, change gear jerkily, steer suddenly and brake late and heavily.

“In fact it is just the way many people drive every day and they would count themselves as experienced motorists,” she said.

David Williams, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist that used to be known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists, added: “We can all allow our driving to become a little raw at times, particularly when stressed, so perhaps a fruit bowl in the boot should come as standard equipment in every car to calm our driving down and make us safer.”

Audrey says her simple fruit bowl technique has made learner drivers better at clutch control and handle poor visibility T-junctions more carefully.

GEM is celebrating its 75 th anniversary this year and its 65,000 members all promise to drive with care, courtesy and concentration. David believes the fruit bowl concept is a good way of achieving those aims if tested out every now and again.

He said: “Motorists who gain and lose speed progressively, drive in the correct gear and take care of their cars can save around 15 per cent on fuel compared with an average driver and of course a smooth ride that keeps any passenger comfortable helps to combat that queasy feeling that many children get.”