Gender driving debate continues

Posted :14-02-2005

Insurers are unlikely to change their policies which often offer women cheaper insurance than men, despite comments made by the UK's chief driving examiner.

Robin Cummins has claimed that men are better drivers than women as illustrated by Driving Standards Agency pass rates which reflect that the overall pass rate for women is 40 per cent, compared to 46 per cent for women.

"With young men there seems to be more natural ability. Some females - though not all - take a lot more teaching to be able to use the controls," he said.

"It might be in the genes or a matter of observing mum and dad driving, or it might go back to playing with cars rather than dolls. I only know what we see."

First Alternative Insurance last year launched a new service for men, with a survey finding that men have more of a "need for speed" than women.

"Our survey proved what many insurers already know - that women are less of a risk behind the wheel than men," said Jacky Brown from First Alternative.

A spokesperson for the British School of Motoring played down Mr Cummins' comments, arguing that age is a more important indicator of ability and risk than sex.

"The age of a learner driver has much more of an effect on their ability to pass the driving test," she said.

"Although from an insurance perspective, women's lower premiums suggest that female drivers may not be as risky as male."

© DeHavilland Information Services plc