The Hindu : International : Men drive them to go wrong

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 31, 2004

International

International

Men drive them to go wrong

London: If men are from Mars, women are from a planet where they do not have roundabouts, according to new research into the way the different sexes bump their cars. Women drivers may not deserve most of the criticism that comes their way, almost invariably from men, but they do have problems when it comes to navigating the circular junction. Data from 125,000 road accidents in Britain last year shows that a disproportionate number of women come to grief while trying to enter or leave roundabouts. Hovering or finally going at the wrong moment because of an impatient (and probably male) tailgater is thought to account for much of the difference. Women drivers also bump into things in car parks more frequently than men, though this figure may be distorted by the fact that they are more likely to undertake the weekly shop. Scrapes on pillars in underground office car parks are more evenly divided, although there are some indications that women are so careful not to scrape the car in one neighbouring bay that they hit the car in the other. Male accidents in the survey by the online insurance broker elephant.co.uk were generally more serious and likely to involve crashing into something head-on.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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