A recent study conducted by the independent GAP insurance provider, InsuretheGap.com has revealed that female drivers are less likely to commit certain driving offences, such as speeding, driving without a seat belt, or running a red light.
But they may also be less likely to do basic checks on their vehicle, such as checking type depth which could also lead to motoring offences being committed.
Just 18% of women surveyed said that they had been caught speeding, compared to almost a third (30%) of men. Women also said that they were unlikely to undertake another motorist, with 16% saying that they had done this before, compared to nearly quarter (24%) of men.
When it comes to running red lights, the numbers are closer with 12% of women admitting to this, compared to 17% of men.
The study asked 1,500 UK drivers to answer questions based on their driving habits and understanding of the rules and regulations of the road. The survey responses indicated that male drivers are putting themselves at greater risk of prosecution than their female counterparts, being more likely to commit 11 of the 13 driving offences listed in the survey.
The only poor driving behaviours that were more commonly admitted to amongst women than men were eating, drinking and “personal grooming” behind the wheel.
While the data showed that men are more likely to commit an offence when actively driving, it did show that women are less likely to conduct basic safety checks, such as checking tyre tread depth, and vehicle lights which could put them at risk of prosecution, or points on their licence. 22% of women said they aren’t confident inflating a tyre, compared to 7% of men. Almost two-thirds (65%) of women said that they weren’t confident changing a tyre or replacing a headlight bulb, with just 22% and 26% saying the same respectively.
Ben Wooltorton, Chief Operating Officer of InsuretheGap.com said: “It’s perhaps not surprising that men and women behave slightly differently behind the wheel, however the research suggests that a number of us put ourselves at unnecessary risk of prosecution by failing to adhere to driving laws and car maintenance regulations.
"The findings also suggest that, in some cases, this is due to a lack of understanding rather than disregard of the rules. It is therefore important that we regularly familiarise ourselves with driving rules and regulations to keep ourselves and our roads safe”
