Focus: Men, women and driving

In a 2004 report prepared by the British Social Issues Research Centre, it was highlighted that social and psychological differences between men and women are relevant to their driving behaviour. For example, it said that all studies and analyses showed that men have a higher rate of crashes than women, especially those that involved overtaking, driving in the dark or taking the bend. And this gender difference is more marked in people under the age of 25 years. Our readers present their views, on the topic, in a debate.

Men are faster drivers than women.

Yes, that's true. If women could drive fast, you would see at least some participation by them in the Formula One races. Also I do not think women generally follow traffic rules. I know my mother does not!
- Mohit Chugani
Dubai

Yes, because men are smart enough to control the car even if they are speeding. Women, however, never follow any rules and are too careful when they drive.
- Aman Gyanchan
Dubai

Yes, I think men generally are faster than women. It is in their nature to just speed. Women can never control their cars properly. They operate according to a simple motto: I will drive in any manner I like and people have to adjust to that.
- Freddi Matar
Dubai

Yes, I think men are faster than women. Men like to show off. Women, however, are normally careful. Men cause more accidents because of their speeding.
- Leo Strada
Dubai

Women follow traffic rules.

Sometimes women follow traffic rules, but not as much as men. Women cause a lot of accidents, as there is always something on their minds. They are always busy and get distracted. Men tend to abide by the rules.
- Mohit Daryani
Dubai

I do not think so. I do not think women are aware of traffic rules. They are slow drivers; they cause more accidents and always press their brakes all of a sudden, without giving a signal.
- Adnan Mohammad
Dubai

Of course they do, even more than men. I have noticed this also in Switzerland, where I come from. Men never abide by traffic laws and drive fast. Men cause more accidents than women — statistically.
- Christian Sigg
Switzerland

Not always. Some women are seen busy applying cosmetics, doing their hair and having long conversations on their mobile phones without using hands-free sets, while driving in the fast lane!
- Subhasis Mukherjee
Dubai

Men cannot maintain lane discipline.

That's true. To begin with, men have no patience at all; also in traffic congestions you always see them changing lanes and driving fast, taking every opportunity they find. Women on the other hand are patient and they wait.
- Swathi J.
Dubai

It is always the women, I have seen, who do not follow lane discipline. It is because of their lack of knowledge of traffic rules and the importance of following it.
- Ramachandran Nair
Oman, Member of the Gulf News Reader's Club

That's right. Men like to speed and they change lanes on the spot, to just go faster. Men are more spontaneous in terms of driving, especially younger men. I think women are less aggressive in their driving, so they do not drive like men.
- Hana Adnan
Ras Al Khaimah

Yes they do, but I think driving is one way for men to release their stress. I think women in general are more patient in terms of driving.
- Nasser Khalid Mahmoud
Ras Al Khaimah

Women are poor judges of distance on the road.

Women are generally slow in taking a decision and faster in their actions, causing chaos such as a sudden slow down, along with a slow pick up at the traffic lights. This creates confusion for the vehicle behind them, along with using their mobile phones, which makes the situation worse. They need more practice, as their learning curve is high in driving.
- Pamoda Perera
Nairobi, Kenya

I think women generally keep a good distance between their car and the others. I think women are better drivers than men. Most accidents happen because of men. Women, on the other hand, are smooth drivers. Men like to show off when they drive.
- Mayur Bhatia
Sharjah

I think that's true; however, in general women tend to follow traffic rules more than men and are more scared of accidents than men.
- Mohammad Zuhair
Ajman

Not really. I think it depends. You will find women who know how to maintain their distance and men who cannot. I think driving is an art and not everyone can perfect it. So you cannot say that women don't know how to drive or men are better drivers, because in the end it is a matter of perspective.
- Khalid Sa'ad Khalid
Ras Al Khaimah