I am a quiet, plain-looking professional man driving a plain gray sedan. One afternoon on the way home, I safely, legally changed lanes, with my signal on, from left to right in front of a pretty blonde co-ed in a green sporty compact car. There was plenty of room, and I did nothing abrupt or agressive. But she lost it completely: flashed her lights, "horned and fingered" me liberally, and placed herself on my bumper.

As I always do, I just ignored her. A few miles later, I pulled into a parking lot. She was still there, and pulled across behind me. When I got out of my car, she ran up to me and stabbed me in the chest with a large hunting knife. I was not mortally wounded (obviously) but I did stumble and fall. An off-duty police officer witnessed this, and took her into custody.

I visited her in jail, and learned that she had no prior record and had never had trouble controlling her temper before. She just lost it. She is a really nice person and I like her a lot. I am sure this was an isolated incident, and, though I feel she needs therapy to find out what triggered this behavior, I did not want to press charges.

Unfortunately, the state is pressing charges, and I can't stop that. I intend to enter a deposition recommending great leniency to the courts. The bottom line is, I think women don't have the (overall, aggregate) experience that men do in dealing with their own anger and being in the midst of aggressive people.

For example, I think most women don't understand that the classic middle-finger gesture is often interpreted as an invitation to fight. In our urban area there have been a number of incidents of women being beaten severely by men after having shot them the finger. Just an odd, extreme sort of communications failure. There are some women who drive very aggressive. I think it's just because they've never had to learn how to manage their feelings and avoid fights. They were taught they are "sugar, spice, and all things nice," and haven't yet grown into the experience base they need. But a few more incidents like these, and, hopefully, they will begin to take notice. --D.

My comments:

47 States issue special "Woman Driver" license

Washington, D.C. -- In a sweeping move to cut down on automobile accidents and increase auto safety, 47 states have begun issuing "Woman Driver" license stickers that must appear in a clearly visible place on the vehicle.

"When we began studying the accident reports, we noticed a clear link between accidents and the drivers fixing their hair, applying makeup, gabbing on the cell phone, yelling at children in the back seat of the car, or just ditziness in general," reported Bruno Kirby, a highway patrol officer for the state of Washington.

Legal action had not been taken until the "Feminine Hazard Report" was completed last month by the National Highway Safety Council. After careful statistical analysis, the report spelled out in black and white the persistent danger on our streets and highways.

The report startled many politicians. "I hadn't realized the scope of the problem until I read the report," stated California Senator Diane Feinstein. "I've had numerous collisions which I attributed to my enjoyment of speeding. It has always puzzled me how other people would speed but didn't have my accident record. This report made it quite clear."

Ms. Feinstein was instrumental in helping the legislation pass by a wide margin. For the protection of citizens, the Highway Patrol will now require women drivers to post a clearly visible orange octagonal sticker that reads "Woman Driver on board" in the back window of the vehicle. This sticker will make it easier for other drivers to recognize, pay special attention, and avoid these drivers.

All the states in the US will require these stickers except Arizona, Montana, and Alabama. In these states many drivers are intoxicated or otherwise demented and driving is generally accepted to be unsafe. Representatives of these states agreed that singling out women seemed excessive. Federal legislators are still struggling with the issues of how to protect children and pedestrians from this mobile threat. Some have suggested revoking the privilege of driving for all women, but this proposal has been very unpopular with the public. "Making it illegal for women to drive is not the answer. The most promising solution we've tested so far has been a driving curfew. If we can keep women off the road when our children are at play, I think most people will sleep easier," Senator Feinstein commented. Report filed by Weld O'Connor Copyright 1997-1998 by Weld's Press

My comments:

Women Drivers

The term "woman driver" is typically used as part of a negative stereotype of female driving skills. I decided to check the statistics to see what foundation there is for this often-used phrase and I found that, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA)

"The male fatal crash involvement rate per 100,000 population was 3 times as high as for female drivers in 1994. Female drivers continue to exhibit safer driving statistics than male drivers. Males accounted for 67 percent of total fatalities, 68 percent of all pedestrian fatalities, and 86 percent of all pedalcyclist fatalities in 1994. 22 percent of male drivers involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated compared to 11 percent of female drivers. 37 percent of female drivers involved in fatal crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash compared to 47 percent for male drivers involved in fatal crashes."

I have seen just as many male drivers make stupid moves while driving as female drivers. I believe that it comes from a person's attitude towards driving and not their gender. Rather than say any more, I will leave it to you. Will you touch this one with a 10 foot pole? Well, here is the pole so let's hear what you think.

I found this "True Story" on the net:

"I tell you, women drivers are a hazard to traffic. Driving to work this morning on I-95 I look over to my left and there's this woman in a Mustang doing 65 miles per hour with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner! I look away for a couple seconds and when I look back she's halfway over in my lane. Scared me so bad I dropped my electric shaver in my coffee."

My comments:

References of articles

Here are 10 references I found very helpful in understanding gender differences.

1. World Press Review, June 1996 v43 n6 p48(1)

Car sexism drives me crazy. (it is assumed that men know car mechanics and women don't: reprinted from The Independent, Mar. 16, 1996) Jojo Moyes.

Abstract: In US popular culture there are jokes about how ignorant women are about car mechanics and car maintenance. Tomorrow's car motor may make this kind of sexism obsolete. Modular components can be designed that would be replaced as a unit so that knowledge of individual parts would no longer be needed.

2. Safety & Health, April 1996 v153 n4 p62(3)

Why are more women dying on the highways?(includes related article on the possibility of special needs for pregnant women drivers) Peter Haapaniemi.

Abstract: Traffic fatalities involving women have increased, due to comparative increases in the number of female drivers, the average annual travel of female drivers and the fatality risk of women drivers than male drivers. Although women still tail behind men in terms of involvement in fatal car crashes, the number of women fatalities while driving has increased by 62.4% between 1975 and 1990. Research has also shown that changes in women's social roles, such as being a mother while holding a job or social drinking, have affected their driving.

3. Life, Wntr 1996 v19 n2 p28(6)

"She drives like a man."(women and automobiles; Special Collector's Issue: Hot for the Road; 100 Years of the Automobile in America) Anemona Hartocollis.

Abstract: Women won control over their own mobility when Alice Ramsey led a group of women on a automobile trip across the US in 1909. The automobile is often thought of as a male domain despite the presence of women enthusiasts. Automobile manufacturers are finally beginning to market cars to women in the 1990s.

4. University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Dec 1995 144 n2 p705-756

Girls and the getaway: cars, culture, and the predicament of gendered space. Carol Sanger

Abstract: The automobile has reinforced and normalized the subordination of women, although it has been presented as a means of liberation. As a result of suburban zoning ordinances, the car has become a means of extending women's domestic duties by creating the role of chauffeur-mother. In addition, a cultural association has developed between cars and sex, one that makes the car a zone of danger for many women. Getting into a car with a man or offering a ride to a man is often considered as evidence of consent to sex.

5. Journal of Popular Culture, Fall 1995 v29 n2 p157(13)

Freedom and control: automobiles in American women's fiction of the 70s and 80s.(1970s and 1980s) Marie T. Farr.

Abstract: American women's fiction of the 1970s and 1980s changes the symbolism associated with automobiles. This change reflects the revolution of gender roles in America in the 20th century. Male writers use the automobile as a symbol of male sexuality and power. Women writers also make it symbolize power, but the power to control one's own life rather than power over others. They see skullful driving as a means of freedom, self-mastery, survival, and escape, and depict women drivers as driving in circles unlike the straight-line, goal-oriented path taken by males.

6. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Nov 1, 1994 v24 n21 p1919(8)

Traffic citations in relation to gender. Scot P. Koehler; Frank N. Willis.

7. JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association, July 15, 1992 v268 n3 p313(2)

Trends in alcohol-related traffic fatalities, by sex - United States.

(From the Centers for Disease Control) Abstract: The number of women who are involved in alcohol related traffic accidents is not declining as quickly as the number of men. The number of women involved in fatal accidents increased 28% between 1982 and 1990. The number of female licensed drivers increased 12% between 1982 and 1989, compared to a 7% increase for males. Because males have been involved in the greatest number of traffic fatalities and alcohol-related traffic fatalities (ARTFs), prevention and education programs have not targeted females. Society is more accepting of female drinkers and drivers. Women are also driving more at night and on weekends. Education programs aimed at women should include the effects of alcohol on their driving ability, alcohol metabolism and degree of intoxication with a specific number of drinks. Both metabolic factors and intoxication levels differ between men and women.

8. Road & Track, May 1985 v36 p56(4)

Women drivers; how a stereotype kept distaff drivers in their place. Michael L. Berger.

9.Journal of American Culture, Fall 1997 v20 n3 p13(18)

"The woman at the wheel:" marketing ideal womanhood, 1915-1934. Laura L. Behling.

Abstract: Automobile driving expanded the role of women by freeing them from home and giving them opportunities to increase their outside social roles. This was apparent in automobile advertisements targeting women in popular magazines in the early decades of the twentieth century. These magazines brought images of middle-class American women driving while much of the male dominated society feared the breakup of traditional gender roles.

10. She's No Lady--The Experience and Expression of Gender among Women Taxi Drivers--by Kimberly Berry

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the Master of Arts, Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (c) copyright by Kimberly Berry 1997 18 April 1997 Posted on TAXI-L web site by permission of the author

Abstract:"She's No Lady" explores the complex relationship between gender identity and work culture as experienced by women taxi drivers in Halifax. Working in a traditionally male industry, women taxi drivers often attract the attention of the press and the public as an amusing novelty or a scandalous disgrace.

These reactions are, in part, the result of the popular perception that masculine and feminine domain are mutually exclusive, restricted to men and women separately and respectively. Furthermore, characterized as highly competitive, independent operators in a dangerous industry, taxi drivers embody a popular image of masculinity.

While the place of women is generally considered to be outside of masculine culture, women taxi drivers demonstrate the fluidity of gender cultures as they adeptly navigate the contested terrain of their masculine work-culture. Despite the routine comments and questions from passengers and colleagues alike, most women drivers find a considerable degree of membership within the larger community of drivers, and in this sense become "one of the men"; seen first as taxi drivers and then as women.

The Stereotypes of Women Drivers: From male conducted research and analysis from my perspective

Prepared by: Christine Tomooka Psychology 459 Dr. L. James April 28, 1994 (Revised)

Christine Tomooka stated in her report that stereotypes of women were "attempts to keep women in their place and to protect them against corrupting influences in society, and within themselves(Berger, 1986:257)." She also mentions a possibility of how bad stereotypes of women started. She believes that women learned to become more independent during WW1 because their husbands, whom they were emotionally and financially depended upon, were away at war.

My reaction to other students' reports

There are only a couple of people who did reports on gender differences in driving in my class. Like myself, they seemed to agree with the idea that gender is not the key factor to gender differences in driving.