There are many jokes about women drivers, but here are the real statistics.
Women can park. Parking, like other skills, is developed over time. Research using surveillance camera data shows that while women may take longer to park, they are more likely to thoughfully leave their car in the middle of a bay. They were also found to be better at locating a parking space, more accurate in lining themselves up before manoevring, and more likely to follow driving instructors' preferred method of reversing into bays.
Woman are good drivers. They are less likely to drive too fast, then brake a lot (11% less likely to brake hard) but control speed with gear changes, thus being kind on the car.
Woman are less likely to crash. Some 57% of male drivers have crashed, compared with 46% of women. Then 46% of men have had a close call with a cyclist or pedestrian, compared with 35% of women. And 68% of women have a clean driving licence, but only 64% of men.
Women do buy cars. The majority of car dealers are aimed at men and 85% of women surveyed by Good Housekeeping said car dealerships were sexist. The GH survey also found out that nine out of ten women are the sole or joint decision maker when car buying.
Women can navigate.
Useful information
A 2015 investigation found that women are often charged up to 30% more for repairs and car maintainance than men. The Foxy Lady Driver Club has over 250 approved dealerships and garages that have signed a charter promising not to overcharge, patronise or sell women services they don't need.
If you want to get a quote before arriving at the garage, use car maintainance comparison site WhoCanFixMyCar.com with its useful problem-solver tool.
The GH survey shows 44% of women feel anxious about driving on motorways. Boost your confidence with the Skill for Life course run by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, with eight one-hour sessions behind the wheel with a trained observer offering advice and instruction. They run other courses on winter driving, parking and speed awareness, plus Momentum, an education programme aimed at new drivers whose lack of experience puts them at highest risk.
Learning to drive. Find a great instructor; it is far too stressful to be taught by a family member or friend. Visit the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency website to find a local instructor, who should have one or more of DIA, NSA or IAM qualifications. Choose an instructor who will give you a free taster lesson, to see how you relate, as building a positive relationship is key.
Worried about an older driver? There is no age limit for holding a licence, drivers over 70 simply renew it and self-certify their fitness every year. One suggestion is for mature drivers to take an annual driving assessment with an independent instructor; assessments are available via the AA, ROSPA and the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
Feature by Zoe Williams and Ginny Buckley in Good Housekeeping, March 2016
