NORTHERN IRELAND’s

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Driving with... MISS <strong>NORTHERN</strong> IRELAND As the current Open and Direct Miss Northern Ireland, Meagan Green, 23, drives across Northern Ireland attending events, photocalls and promotions. So we caught up with her at Downey’s in Newtownards which sponsors Miss Northern Ireland’s car each year, to chat about her experiences behind the wheel. How long have you been driving? I passed my test when I was 18 so I’ve been on the road for nearly six years. Did you pass your test first time? Yes, thankfully. I took my test in Lisburn during school rush hour so the roads were quite busy. I was so relieved when the examiner told me I had passed and my hands were still shaking when I signed the certificate. page # 60
Do you have any tips for young people who might be planning to take their test soon? I know it’s a cliché, but just stay calm and don’t let nerves get the better of you. You know what you have to do, so putting extra pressure on yourself will only make it harder. If you don’t pass first time don’t worry, you will have learnt from each experience and it will make you a better driver. I think it’s really important to have your driving license and to get it as soon as you can even if you don’t think you’ll be driving straight away. It’s an important skill to have and very I’m glad I got mine when I did. What was your first car and what do you drive now? My first car was a Vauxhall Astra, which my brother drives at the moment. I’m very fortunate to have been gifted a car from Downey’s during my year as Open & Direct Miss Northern Ireland so I currently drive a gorgeous Kia Rio. It’s small and compact but deceptively spacious inside, which is ideal for me because I’ve always got half a wardrobe in the back as I’m often going from one job to the next and need a change of outfit or different shoes. I regularly work as part of a team so I could have three or four people in the car with me on the way to a job and it never feels cramped. Downey’s gave me a gorgeous model with white vinyl interior and heated seats, which is such a luxury when I’ve been working late or doing a photocall outside in the cold. I absolutely love my car! What’s your dream car? I’m a country girl so I’d love a Range Rover. Victoria Beckham helped design the Evoque model which is stunning and as a selfconfessed shopaholic it’s right up my street. I wouldn’t say no to an Aston Martin BD9 either! Your role as Miss Northern Ireland sees you travelling all over the country, how do you cope with driving long distances? I rely a lot on my sat nav or Google Maps. But if all else fails I can always call my Dad, he knows everything! Having said that, my navigation skills have definitely improved over the past year and I’m much more confident because I’ve been driving more. I could be in Dublin, Kildare, Enniskillen or Omagh all in one week but I love it as it’s a great way to see parts of the country I might not normally have the opportunity to visit. There are many misperceptions about being a beauty queen, can you dispel any of them with your car maintenance skills - do you know how to change a tyre, check water and oil and can you parallel park? Yes to all. My Dad is a cattle farmer so my brother, sister and I were all very hands on helping him around the farm. We drove quads, scramblers and tractors and as my Dad is always conscious of safety he made sure we were confident and well prepared to work with any vehicle, so he taught us all the basics. What do you enjoy most about driving? I love the independence it gives me. Being able to drive means you can go wherever you need to whenever you like. Living in the country that’s even more important as public transport isn’t as regular and I hate having to depend on other people for a lift. What are your pet hates about other drivers? I get really annoyed when people don’t use their indicators. It’s such a basic thing but so many people just don’t use them or use them at the last minute which isn’t much better. What’s your advice for anyone starting out on the road after passing their test and getting their first car? Take it easy. Slow and steady wins the race so just give yourself plenty of time to get from A to B. If you’re a very nervous driver make use of a friend or family member who is a calm and experienced driver and ask them to accompany you for a while until you gain more confidence. It’s important to ask the right person though. Having another nervous driver, no matter how experienced, will probably just make you worse. What do you think the biggest challenges are for young drivers? I think it’s hard to shed the image that all young drivers are boy racers. The cost of getting on the road for the first time can also be an obstacle for young drivers due to insurance, fuel costs on top of the cost of the actual car, but I think it’s worth it and it gets easier as each year passes. “If you don’t pass first time don’t worry, you will have learnt from each experience and it will make you a better driver. “ page # 61
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