A new study suggests more than half of British men believe they are better drivers than women.
The research from ChooseMyCar.com exposed the truth that 55 per cent of males consider themselves the superior sex when it comes to driving a vehicle. This jumped up to two thirds (68 per cent) in the Millennial age group (30-45), closely followed by 66 per cent in the 18-29 Gen Z age group.
The belief was even stronger when it came to their ability over their specific partners – shockingly nearly nine out of ten (88 per cent) admitted to being certain they were a better driver than their spouse or partner.
Some even went further and suggested they don’t even feel safe when their partner is driving. According to the research, a whopping 81 per cent of men in the UK felt safer driving themselves than having their partner drive them. This jumped up to 88 per cent of Gen Z drivers (aged 18-29).
Despite this strong belief from men that they are better drivers, statistics prove the error of their opinion. Recent Department for Transport statistics show that 76 per cent of road fatalities, and 61 per cent of all reported casualties were male.
The DofT data also shows that men are more than FOUR times more likely to be involved in road traffic collisions and incidents than women. Young male drivers were seriously over-represented in accidents in particular, with more than four times the number of road collision fatalities and serious injuries being males under 25.
Men are also more likely to be involved in speeding offences, drink-driving, using a mobile phone while in charge of a vehicle, and not wearing seatbelts. Sadly, more than 85 per cent of fatalities caused by these factors were found to be male.
Nick Zapolski, founder of ChooseMyCar.com, said he wasn’t surprised by the results.
“It’s a common misconception by men that they are superior drivers – but there is little to no evidence to support their belief,” he said, adding, “Across the board, men seem to be adamant that they are better behind the wheel, and there does seem to be a trend that males are more likely to drive their partners. But their fears are needless – men are much more likely to have an accident than their female partners.
“It’s time for men to stop having such false confidence. Relax and be a passenger princess instead – who knows, you might even like it!”
