Aggressive driving worries women
A new survey has revealed 78 per cent of female drivers worldwide worry about aggressive driving and 69 per cent believe aggression on the roads is increasing.
The study, led by a Czech online magazine for women drivers, Zena v aute.cz, included responses from a number of Kiwis after 1,485 female motorists worldwide were asked to complete an online questionnaire.
Conducted during May 2024, the survey covered 20 countries in all, with the others being Australia, Austria, Belgium, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the US.
“Through a questionnaire we analysed how women drivers feel, what they fear, how they behave behind the wheel, and on roads. The results of the survey are remarkable,” says Sabina Kvasova, Zena editor-in-chief.
According to the results, three main areas cause women drivers the most concern. Aggressive drivers were the top worry for 22 per cent of the women surveyed, while accidents and driving in reduced visibility both received 20 per cent.
Next on the list was skidding with 13 per cent and collision with animals on 9 per cent.
Only 16 per cent of those interviewed think there is nothing to worry about.
Answers varied from country to country. For example, aggressive drivers were a main concern for female drivers from the US, 82 per cent, Spain, 31 per cent, and Poland, 38 per cent.
The fear of accidents was the biggest concern for drivers from Italy, 51 per cent, Poland, 35 per cent, and Germany, 31 per cent. Driving in reduced visibility was an issue for women from the UK, 52 per cent, Germany, 50 per cent, and Poland, 20 per cent.
Kvasova, a survey organiser and member of the Women's World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) jury, says the majority of women drivers, 55 per cent, sporadically encounter aggressive behaviour on the roads.
Only 25 per cent of respondents encounter aggressive behaviour every day, and 20 per cent several times a week.
When asked what measures should be taken against aggressive drivers, 45 per cent supported strict penalties, 27 per cent backed specialised therapy programmes, 20 per cent voted for training of future drivers, and prevention campaigns came in at six per cent.
Many women drivers say they still feel scrutinised by their partners when they drive, they only use the second family car or feel little support in the world of motorsports.
Those answers come despite women reportedly influencing more than 80 per cent of car purchases in advanced countries and WWCOTY says this number is expected to grow.
