McKenna et al.(1990: 47) used 99 subjects: 58 males between the ages of 18 and 68 years with a mean age of 37 years, and 41 females between the ages of 18 and 61 years with a mean age of 37 years. In this questionnaire, the subjects were to make separate judgments of twenty different scenarios of their own driving skills and of the driving skills of the average driver. The order of assessment of scenarios was varied, as 55 subjects made personal judgments first and average driver second, and 44 subjects did the reverse. These participants also included estimation of their average weekly mileage and number of years driving.
McKenna et al. (1990: 48-50) concluded that there is a significant difference between male and female personal assessment of driving skills as males rated themselves higher than females. Of the twenty scenarios, these four: reversing, parking, judging width of vehicles, and navigating/driving in unfamiliar area, were given similar ratings for both personal and average driver assessment by females; though males still rated their skills higher. Yet, there was little difference between the assessment of the average driver by both males and females.
As a result of this research, I can suggest that men are more likely to have a higher self-assessment of their driving skills than women, though men and women have basically the same conception of the average driver. I think that this study has more validity than the others, in that the ratio of male to female is 1:1:4. There is a possible correlation between the self-conceptions that men and women have of themselves. For instance, it is not surprising that the males rated themselves higher than women did. Arkoff(1993: 395-396) states that in our society men tend to look at good qualities and assess them to themselves as women do the reverse and give credit to others. Suggesting that men, in general, would have a tendency to be overconfident of their abilities more so than women.
Researchers, Panek and Wagner (1986) did a study on personality variables in relation to moving violations in women. Panek & Wagner(1986: 209) used 170 female participants between the age of 17 and 72 years. There were approximately 25 subject for each 8 year period (e.g.: 17-24-25-32-33-40). They were divided into two main groups of young adult: 99 subjects with a mean age of 31; 71 subjects with a mean age of 59.9 years. The participants were given the Hand Test, which would show a relationship between aggression and directive behavior, and a self-reporting driving questionnaire.
Panek & Wagner(1986: 208) results implied that in younger female drivers, personality traits of impulsivity could be related to accidents and lack of environment awareness and attention are related to moving violations. For the old adult group there was high correlation between the questionnaires, accidents, and moving violations. They concluded that individuals who have a tendency to be dominant and assertive tend to have more accidents than individuals who are not. There is a correlation between accidents and individuals that have a tendency to influence and manipulate others.
As indicated in this study, it was a certain type of behavior that had a tendency to be accident-prone and the age of the driver. There is no sign of gender difference because only female subjects were used.
However, in Trankle, Gelau and Metker's (1990)journal article: Risk Perception and Age-Specific accidents of Young Drivers, they suggest that young male driver are more likely to take risks that lead to accidents than older male driver. Trankle et al. (1990: 120-121) had 208 male participants and 100 female participants. The subjects ages ranged from 18 to 75 years. These participants were to watch 100 slide-presentation of traffic situations and indicate level of risk. These slides were from two different perspectives: the driver's and general. As a result of Trankle et al.(1986: 121) research they found that young males between the ages of 18 and 21 reported lower levels of risk for situation presented from the driver's general perspective more than middle-aged males between the ages of 35 and 45. However, they found no significant difference in females.
Trankle et al. (1986: 123) did discuss the difference in young males and females. Young females risk rating were fairly consistent to those of other females of different age groups, though rated higher than young males. Statistisches Bundesamt(1987) states that young male drivers are often involved in accidents caused by speeding and veering off the lane, whereas young female drivers are over represented in accidents at the intersection or during lane changes. Thus, implying that males and females have accidents, the difference being the type of accidents that they are involved in.
The history of the stereotype of women driver's is one that I feel is still questionable. I see some validity in Berger's ideas that the "negative" stereotypes of female drivers were started as a means of keeping women in their place in the social status of society. This is evident as I look back at history of women. Traditionally, women held the role of the homemaker, mother, and wife; anything other than that role would not be tolerated or permitted, at least until recently. As there is a trend to invalidate these stereotypes of women as the feminist movement progresses.
Through the history of women drivers, women have proved that they are men's equal in many respects. However, male and female capabilities and hindrances can be seen as both are inclined to have accidents: as shown in Statistisches Bundesamt (1987), both male and females were inclined to have accidents though in different settings, and in McKenna et al. (1990) indicated that both males and females, rated their assessment of their own driving skills higher than that of the average driver. Indicating that males and females have things in common despite the gender differences. According to Popkin, Rudisill, and Waller(1988: 220) historically men have driven more than women, though this trend is slowly changing with the times, and the number of licensed women drivers increasing could possibly change the statistics of convicted number of males and females. The idea of males historically driving more, may account for the greater number of driving convictions for males.
I learned many interesting things about stereotypes of women and driving, mostly how each is intertwined with the other. I saw how the stereotypes of men and women greatly influence their driving personalities. As indicated in Tipton et al.'s (1990) study that men were less likely to comply and internalize the usage of seat belts but women did. This is evident in society's socialization of females and promotion of independence of males. Therefore, in some ways, it is not surprising that more males, in general, are non-compliant to traffic laws and women tend to be. Traditionally, women have been taught to adhere to the rules and comply. However, this trend is slowly changing as more women are becoming assertive and willing to go against the norm and stereotypes.
I feel that this is the beginning of a new trend of drivers as certain aspects of driving will not be male dominated as more female drivers are being licensed. Also, as increase usage of aggression and assertiveness by women in all aspects of their life, I feel that this will indirectly influence their driving attitudes as well.
In conclusion, I have come to understand one possibility of how women attained the stereotype of being poor drivers or lacking the ability to drive well. I found evidence through articles that support the idea that women are equal in ability, if not better than men in driving ability. Most of all, I realize that sexism is still evident in many different aspects of society today.
Berger, M.L. 1986. Women Drivers: the emergence of folklore and stereotypic opinions concerning feminine automotive behavior. Women's Studies Forum, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 257-263.
Furnham, A. and Saipe, J. 1993. Personality Correlates of Convicted Drivers. Personality, Individual Differences, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 329-336.
McKenna, F.P., Stanier, R.A., and Lewis, C. 1941. Factors Underlying Illusory Self-Assessment of Driving Skill in Males and Females. Journal of Accident, Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 23,
Panek, P.E. and Wagner, E.E. 1986. Hand Test Personality Variables Related to Automotive Moving Violations in Female Drivers. Journal of Personality Assessment, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 208-211
Pokin, C.L., Rudisill, L.C., and Waller, P.F. pg.88. Female Drinking and Driving: Recent Trends in North Carolina. Journal of Accident, Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 219-225
Statistisches Bundesamt Wiesbaden (Hrsg): 1986, Frachserie 8, Reihe 3.3, Stuttgrat. Kohlhammer: 1987
Tipton, R.M., Camp, C.C., and Hsu, K. 1994. The Effects of Mandatory Seat Belt Legislation on Self-Reported Seat Belt Use Among Male and Female College Students. Journal of Accident, Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 22, No. 6, pp. 543-548.
Trankle, U., Gelau, C., and Metker, T. 1987. Risk Perception and Age-Specific Accidents of Young Drivers. Journal of Accident, Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 119-125
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