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by shamim jagot on November 22nd, 2004

shamim jagot

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Is there really a difference between men and women drivers?

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Answers. 33 helpful answers below.

  • by Lucas_ on December 7th, 2004

    Lucas_

    Yes, there is. Statistics show that men get into more accidents, and accidents caused by men lead to injuries that are more severe. I've gotten into an argument about that some time ago, and to resolve it, we actually contacted the swiss governmental institute for statistics (Bundesamt für Statistik, BFS, http://www.bfs.admin.ch/) to verify this. It's true: women are better (or at least saver) drivers than men.

    These numbers are normalized, by the way, so the fact that men drive more than women didn't influence the result. There are even some insurances whose car insurances cost more for men than for women, since men are more likely to cause expensive accidents.

    Somebody wrote "Men tend to drive better when tested". I've never seen a test supporting that idea. Please provide links to studies supporting that point of view.

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  • by LynfromNM on January 28th, 2006

    LynfromNM

    I admit to having trouble with parking at times. Because I am a petite female I cannot see far enough over the hood of my car to see where the lines are to park straight. I sometimes have to back out and line up again. Sometimes I compensate by parking in areas where no other cars are around. I don't know any men who have this problem, but I don't know any men as short as I.
    My point is, maybe there are physical differences between the sexes which affect driving skills. Smart drivers of both sexes know their weaknesses and learn to address them in self preservation if nothing else!
    Some people's answers here appear to define good driving as the ability to control a car's functioning (apparently a strong point for males) and others define it as keeping out of accidents (females). Since I don't know what definition the Questioner is using, I would answer that men and women in general do drive differently with the result of driving each other crazy.

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  • by exup25th on December 8th, 2004

    exup25th

    I noticed a difference between men and women pupils when I used to teach motorcycling, I generally found it easier to teach a woman than a man. most of the time this was because a woman would listen and a man would try to do it their own way.
    Although men tended to be more "mechanically sympathetic" then the women..
    On the road accompanying learners however, it suprised me that in general women drivers had less respect for a learner motorcyclist then men.. Wherea most men would give priority to the learner if he could I found that women tended to be agressive towards learners. Speaking to a few female friends about this most admitted that when they really thought about it they were more agressive.
    A report, published when I was instructing, on why there were little or no women in motorsport found out that men and women vary slightly in driving ability also. The study found that women lacked a little on spatial awareness, which, they said, may account for why motorcports such as Formula 1 and MotoGP have no women drivers because of the perception needed to corner at speed, the men would have the advantage.. Howeverin a motorsport such as Drag Racing there are no corners and this accounts for the high proportion of women who drag race.. some of which are very highly ranked in the world.
    It also stated that a women would be more likely to have an accident while in a built up/busy area but as the speeds were low the injuries and damage would probably be less serious. Men who tend to be more agressive and oppurtunistic are more likely to have accidents out of town (the classic misjudged overtake or bend too fast) at high speeds where damage/injuries would be more serious

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  • by david askari on July 20th, 2005

    david askari

    Since driving is a individual experience. Looking at men and women as individuals, there are always some who are better than the other in specific activities (driving in this case).

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  • by Sunblynd 5.0 on January 4th, 2005

    Sunblynd 5.0

    I've been a professional driver for six years, no one knows a city's drivers better than a hardcore Austin, TX street cabby.

    I will tell you this from my experiance, and that is women are more apt to obey the law and be courteous to other drivers much more so than men. By far women are much more professional at driveing than men. Sorry guys but its true, any good driving instructor will tell you, a professional driver is "one who obeys the law". Though I have seen a lot of stupid women drivers doing a lot of obsurd things out on the road. They seem to drive more on impulse rather than skill.
    They are also easily distracted as I have discovered they love to rubber neck the scene of an accident just as much as men do.

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  • by tripwire on January 31st, 2007

    tripwire

    Yes, about 1 liter of testosterone! LOL Men are much more aggressive/offensive drivers on the whole! Someone tailgating you? 9 times out of ten it's a man. Someone speeding up so that you can't merge with the other lane? Man! Someone being a dick head? Man! Most of the really offensive behaviour is from men! Women are probably more prone to hold up traffic by driving at the legal limit, which is ironic, but at least they mostly err on the side of safety!

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  • by Anonymous on December 31st, 2005

    Anonymous

    Yes. this dynamite answer may offend some people. from my experience, female drivers cause most accidents and violate more traffic violations than men. i have no official stats, only 40 years of law enforement to back this statement. men and women both talk on cellphones, while driving. i have never seen a man put on make-up, talk on the cellphone and steer the suv with his knees, all at the same time. i have observed a woman doing just this. the issuance of traffic citations has been approx. 60% women, 40% men. when a vehicle runs through laser radar, i have no knowledge of the drivers gender. from behind a vehicle, its hard to distinguish a male from a female. the traffic stop is based squarely on the violation, not whether the driver is male or female. in recalling past violations issued, i would definitely say that women are more at fault in the differences between men and women drivers. end

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  • by janacide on February 2nd, 2007

    janacide

    I am not sure if there is or not statistically,but in my experience riding as a passenger with both males and females I have observed the following:

    One female friend of mine drives so very crappy that I have had the unfotunate luck of being a victim of 2 car wrecks while she was driving,both her fault completely.I will never get back into a car with her.lol

    One male friend of mine is almost 50 ys old and has never had a ticket of anykind regarding his car,and is the most cautious driver I know.

    The rest of the women I know and have rode with,, are very cautious and decent drivers that don't scare me in the slightest.

    The rest of the men I know and have rode with,thier driving SCARES the living CRAP out of me!!!!!!

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  • by geek860 on December 28th, 2005

    geek860

    From my own personal eyes, I have clearly seen that women are scary behind the wheel. (Not all, but it seems every bad woman driver happens around me). I have seen women back up into cars because they forgot to shift into drive, being WAYYY too cautious and putting lives at risk (taking 5 minutes to merge onto a highway or freeway or going below the speed limit).

    It would take years to list everything I've seen and heard. Us men definitely have issues, but I think when left to our own devices we beat out the women.

    P.S. For all you women out there: Please...PLEASE stop trying to back into parking spots...its downright scary...

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  • by CynS14 on February 14th, 2005

    CynS14

    Men tend to be more reckless. As proven by U.S. insurance companies. That's why women's rates are lower than men's. Compare a 21 year old female and a 21 year old male on a car insurance quote for the same vehicle. Also, if a man is married he gets credit for that (the idea being women are more responsible).

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  • by PinkCantaloupe on February 2nd, 2005

    PinkCantaloupe

    In my experience on the road, any time I saw someone do something absurd or dangerous it was one of the following:

    1. A woman

    2. A Elder

    3. Someone on a CELL PHONE

    Of course I've seen men do stupid things too, but the three I've listed is what I've seen the most.

    {In responce to feedback} It's interesting that people who aren't me, know what I've seen and haven't seen.

    I pity the schmucks that gave me a poor rating for this answer. Clearly they don't understand the concept of objective observations. This is a classic example of imbeciles giving poor ratings for honest answers. Its too bad. Answerbag is such a cool site until degeneretes like you use it.

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  • by Looshk on August 29th, 2009

    Looshk

    I think there are good male drivers and good female drivers I also think there are terrible male drivers and terrible female drivers.

    I think its unfair that ALL males should take the rap for a few bad eggs in regards to car insurance though, car insurance should be decided on individual performance and past accidents (if any).

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  • by Hellifino on August 29th, 2009

    Hellifino

    I really don't think that driving standards are based on male or female. I have been on some of the scariest rides of my life with a man behind the wheel. My ex-husband in fact drives me nuts that he fidgets with his texting and Ipod while driving. One of my best friends (female) can parallel park a double wide city bus. Most men can't do that. I have several female friends with CDL's.

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  • by woggy on August 29th, 2009

    woggy

    Statistically? Yes.

    But that is only because they don't tend to take chances the way that men do.
    Of course, there are some women (one of whom is in my carpool) who'll misread the stats to say that they have more raw skill, and drive accordingly. My aquaintance is more agressive behind the wheel than any of the three guys in the carpool, yours truly included, and riding with her is a scary, uncomfortable experience.
    She justifies her driving habits by citing statistics. She ignores the fact that the statistics only reflect favorably on women because, unlike herself, most women are simply more careful than most men.

    In terms of actual SKILL?
    It's a demonstrated fact that women have less ability with spatial relationships. That will translate directly to their driving skill.
    Of course there are exceptions to this: Danica Patrick could drive circles around most guys.
    If any of you have seen the current "Ice Road Truckers" series on The History Channel, you've probably seen Lisa Kelly, who can back an eighteen wheeler better than I ever will.

    Speaking clinically, women typically have less-acute night vision than men, so that will obviously play into their driving ability.

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  • by wthing8 on September 17th, 2008

    wthing8

    Look and Learn

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  • by R U Sirius on February 28th, 2007

    R U Sirius

    I haven't known a man to throw a cup of soda during road rage. We just stick to good ole tire irons.

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  • by yoho05 reminds you to DYOH on February 2nd, 2007

    yoho05 reminds you to DYOH

    This is a purely subjective answer, but I find, as a passenger, that male drivers are far more likely to drive as if it were a video game and they have to out-maneuver everyone else on the screen. They want more points and don't care how they get them; they drive as if what they do has no effect on other drivers, only on themselves.

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  • by The_Professional on January 31st, 2007

    The_Professional

    From what I have noticed.

    Women seem to have more faith.
    Men insist on being in control.

    Women will swerve when playing with the radio or looking at themselves in the mirror.

    Men are mostly focus. The road and the other cars are then enemy.

    Women also are more likely to wet themselves because they are surprised. The man expects to be hit by another driver.

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  • by Jennifer Jason on November 3rd, 2006

    Jennifer Jason

    Oh come on! There are both good and bad men drivers as well as good and bad girl drivers.

    I will admit that girls tend to be less vicarious when it comes to trying things out. All except for me that is. I'm the one that will drive just about anywhere.

    Am I a better driver than a man? I donno... I do ok though. Only had one accident which was not my fault. A suburban broad sided my Camaro and totaled it.

    I think I'm an excellent winter driver. I've driven 5 years now in all kinds of conditions in both my Camaro and my Mustang without snow tires or anything special and I've never had an accident. Sure I've slipped off the road a couple of times but usually with me were men in their all terrain SUVs!!! Sometimes the ice is impossible.

    I'd challange a guy to a winter driving competition. Both of us with the same cars and a difficult course to navigate. I'd sure give him a run for his money!

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  • by Van_Houten on October 11th, 2006

    Van_Houten

    There is a difference. The difference is that women are, according to a study about estrogen's effect on driving, not able to keep a single train of attention as well as men. This is helpful in that women have a better time adjusting to a sudden change than a man does, but that's about it. Since a man is less able to direct his attention elsewhere, he is a typically better driver... unless of course something unexpected happens (in which case women have the edge). I have never gotten into an accident, and no man I've ever known personally has either. But ALL the women in my family (save for my little sister who cannot yet drive) have gotten into accidents. Pretty damaging ones, at that.

    Despite the fact that women drive 74% less the milage of men, they still, in fact, get an average of 5.7 crashes per million miles, whereas men get into 5.1 crashes per million miles. (If you need a reliable source for this info: http://www.junkscience.com/news2/womendri.htm)

    Overall, men, though more "reckless" than women, get into less car accidents than women and are thus better drivers.

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  • by Rammstein on June 22nd, 2006

    Rammstein

    There is.

    While men are more mechanically inclined, they are more apt to take risks and let their ego get in the way of their driving. Women on the other hand tend to be overcautious and sometimes do not seem to have a clue what a car does.

    All in all, men make the majority of the accidents and damages, but do take into account that there are far more men on the road then there are women. Moreover, insurance stats are based on owners, NOT on drivers. It has been proven (Germany) that quite a lot of women over there cause accidents, but the insurance of the car is the owner's, the husband.

    That said, I do know some women I'd have me driven anywhere without a shadow of a doubt, and men who I would strongly advise NOT to take the car.:)

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  • by lincoln on January 24th, 2006

    lincoln

    Oh yes, men are by far the better drivers. I have no idea why, but some women have a hard time figuring things out. How to set the VCR, set up a computer, things like that. I have a carer assist me with my food shopping and have many different women drive me to and from the shopping centre. I would use the term; "point and shoot" method is how women drive. Some don't know how to operate the controls in the car. A lot and not so good at parking. Men on the other hand seemed to have conquered these things lot easier. They understand the dynamic's of the car and the physics behind why a car handles the way it does. On the down side however, men drive alot faster and are more reckless. But, considering the amount of miles a man drives compared to a female driver, it is expected that a male driver will either get caught speeding or have a car accident.

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  • by Inducted Kitty on August 29th, 2009

    Inducted Kitty

    Some women are better qualified to drive than some men.
    Similarily, some men are better qualified to drive than some women.
    Nothing to do with the sex, everything to do with driving skills and knowledge. See?

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  • by Anonymous on April 16th, 2006

    Anonymous

    Yes and here is my second answer. at the police academy driving obstacle course, the men by far, out drove, out manuevered, and contained more self-control, than women. one rookie female, in a pursuit situation, drove the police vehicle off the course and down into the woods, out of sight.

    Men are much stronger in the upper part of their body, rather than women. maybe, this is why there is a difference.

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  • by Anonymous on April 16th, 2006

    Anonymous

    Yes and here is my second answer. on the police driving course, the men drivers out drove, out manuevered, and contained self-control, while faced with pursuit situations. one female rookie driver, drove a police vehicle off the obstacle course and down into the woods, out of sight. men have much stronger upper strength, than women and can handle the quick manuevers required in a pursuit.

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  • by tapatio on August 29th, 2009

    tapatio

    You don't want to start this fight. I'd avoid talking about it if at all possible. Tell them what they want to hear and change the subject. Why fight?

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  • by 19kid was born in89 on August 9th, 2007

    19kid was born in89

    men usually drive faster and more agressively.
    women usually drive slower and more carefully.
    but tennagers pretty much all drive the same.

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  • by Anonymous on July 28th, 2006

    Anonymous

    Women may get into less accidents, however that does not mean that they didn't cause them. With there slow lane changes abrupt stops and just being oblivious to things going on around them, they can cause good drivers to crash by trying to avoid them.

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  • by buzz123456 on February 28th, 2007

    buzz123456

    Most men in general are aggressive and women are passive. As far as competent, dunno but9 times out of 10 if I get pissed off cause a another car did what I believe is stupid and dangerous, its a woman, sorry ladies. Just use your gas and brakes, thats why you got them, move!

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  • by cincyaviation on August 29th, 2009

    cincyaviation

    my dad is better than my mom, my sister better than my brother, so, no

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  • by evandad on August 28th, 2009

    evandad

    Old people are bad drivers. Everyone else is about the same. Even Chinese people.

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  • by Stay Strong Stephen Murray on August 9th, 2007

    Stay Strong Stephen Murray

    Men drive crazy, BUT STAY IN CONTROL. Women drive crazy but are never in control.

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  • by Zachary on November 25th, 2009

    Zachary

    Hopefully none of you are trying to make this a sex against sex thing. But this isn't about the sex but about they driver. This is all even if it is completely inrealivent to the question.

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