1. Being a Celebrity: Fame and Fortune Brings Traffic Citations, Accidents, and DUI’s

Everyone dreams of being a celebrity and being famous but being a celebrity can ruin your driving skills. Celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton are known for their poor driving skills. Lohan and Hilton both got into trouble with the law for DUI offenses.

When you are a celebrity you have a mindset where you cannot go wrong; throw in the paparazzi chasing you all the time with cameras and this is a recipe for disaster. Many celebrities get into car accidents with photographers all the time because they cannot drive properly around Los Angeles and other parts of California. In some instance, innocent bystanders have been hit or run over by celebrities who were trying to out run paparazzi members when they could have just posed for a picture and moved on with their day. They say be careful what you wish for and wishing to be a celebrity may mean that you have to take a taxi instead of drive a car to get around.

2. Hormones: Making Men & Women Worse Drivers Since the Wheel Was Invented

Now hormones can really mess with your mind and emotions so they can definitely make your driving skills worse. For example, a woman who is dealing with hormones may cry when she hears a song that was special to her and her ex-boyfriend. This could make her have to blot her eyes to prevent her mascara and make up from running which might make her lose her concentration and become involved in an automobile accident. Some studies show the exact opposite: that estrogen actually improves driving skill.

Not having enough hormones can cause problems as well.  “Spatial skills such as map reading and parking may be difficult for some women because they had too little testosterone in the womb.” Researchers from the University of Giessen, Germany found that spatial ability was severely diminished when they had lower than normal testosterone.

But testosterone levels don’t affect only women. We all know that statistically speaking, women are lower risk drivers than their male counterparts. Hormones also impact men because they often become involved in fender bender and other minor accidents because they are staring at beautiful girls; and if you count testosterone + aggressive driving, then you might as well say that most male-caused accidents are hormonally based.

Lots of these accidents happen on beaches or college campuses when a girl walks by a man’s vehicle and he is not paying attention and hits the car in front of him. The next time an accident report is filed, you might just see hormone-crazed driver listed as the cause for the accident. The body is a very interesting thing and hormones are hard to control so they cause many accidents each year and make people worse drivers. Perhaps insurance companies should consider giving drivers discounts for taking hormone-suppressing drugs.

3. Video Games: A Joystick Can Mess Up Your Mind and Ruin Your Driving Record

Video games such as “Grand Theft Auto” have become very popular with people especially young men between the ages of 16 and 25. Now as most gamers know, video games are pretty harmless; no more than TV or board games.

There are a few studies that show that gamers make better drivers, or even surgeons. According to a study by the University of Rochester, people who played “Call of Duty 2″ and “Unreal Tournament,” were able to make decisions about 25% faster than those who played the “The Sims 2.”

According to the “Archives of Surgery” laproscopic surgeons improved their skills by up to 42% (as well as speed) by playing games like Top Gun.  So all you hard core Halo experts out there really have some great talent when the time comes to consider a career.

Allstate even publish initial results that showed that 10 hours of game play by older patients basically makes the brain function the equivalent of a brain 10 years younger.

So how can it make a potentially worse driver? Most people have not had their brains rot out of their head from playing them for too many hours. However, a small percentage of us do, and the effect has been studied.  The games actually make driving skills worse because you are training your mind to deliberately drive erratically, and in short, take bigger risks. Most people mimic what they see each day so playing video games such as this one will negatively impact how you drive in the future.

Games such as GTA, Need for Speed, and Gran Turismo, etc…. are known for having people drive at top speeds, and sometimes even run people down for fun (hey, it’s just a game) and therefore may help believe you are a better driver in the real-world, or perhaps help your mind justify some of these lower perceived risks. This translates into the reality of your life when you are behind the wheel of your vehicle each day when you are going to school, going to work, or running errands. It is important to remember to separate the reality of life with the fiction of video games so that your driving skills are as consistent as possible.

Now, the study failed to point out what the difference was in the number of pedestrians getting hit, but here are a few of the highest increases: running red lights, filing insurance claims due to accidents, and suffering from road rage in general:

4. Genetics: Blame It on Your DNA

In a recent study of college undergrads, “those with a common genetic variation scored 20% worse in a driving simulator than their counterparts.” Genetics can play a big role in how you drive so the next time that you get into an accident or get a speeding ticket you may want to thank your parents and grandparents for causing you to become a worse driver. Every person is different so they approach driving differently and genetics does play a role in how people look, think, and act.

Driving is a huge responsibility and some people are prone genetically to be better drivers than others. For example, if you have Attention Deficit Disorder then your kids may be more likely to have the medical condition as well. This medical condition causes people to become poor drivers because they have a hard time focusing and concentration on one task at a time so they become hyper which can lead to accidents.

So the next time you get pulled over for a ticket, defend yourself in court with this study, and maybe the judge will let you off easy.

5. Steering Wheel Desk: Having Your Hands on This Desk May Hurt You or Others around You

Yes, there are steering wheel desks and they are actually for your steering wheel in your vehicle. Now most people are probably going to be glued to their computer’s search engine looking for this product because a majority of driver have never heard of it. It is basically like a small folded down desk that attaches to a steering wheel. This ends up distracting drivers more than usual. This and cause their hands to be on the steering wheel while their arms are on the desk. This can make it harder for the hands to quickly stop the vehicle in the event that an object or emergency situation appears in front of the person quickly. The steering wheel desk is a bad idea for people, especially younger drivers who have poor or average driving skills to begin with.

The United States has become a country where DUI’s and traffic accidents are too common. Having excellent driving skills is important to keeping the roads as safe as possible. When you get behind the wheel of your vehicle remember these 5 surprising things so that you do not become a worse driver in the future.

Sources:

http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3679
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4202199.stm
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/10/10/video-games-drivers.html
http://archsurg.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/142/2/181
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/genetically-bad-driving/
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/themes/press_services/hidden/01-02-2011video-gaming.html
http://www.switched.com/2009/11/23/steering-wheel-desk-guaranteed-to-make-you-a-worse-driver/

1. Excessive Moose Collisions

A woman from New Hampshire ended up having her insurance coverage canceled thanks to two separate incidents involving moose. She hit a moose twice in the span of ten years and her auto insurance company said that the number of accidents that she had been involved in was too excessive. In all fairness, if you hit a moose it is not because you are a risky driver, sometimes you just take a corner late at night and a moose is just there. This is a 1,600 pound animal and hitting it does cause a lot of damage but it is very hard to even swerve to avoid a collision without hitting something and injuring yourself or someone else.

2. Just Married

Another woman got her car insurance terminated because she got married. Now, men could probably use this as an excuse to not take that long walk down the aisle but it does not happen all the time. The reason behind this is when you get married to someone; they bring additional risk to your auto insurance coverage. The combined credit risk that is involved equates to the factors that are used by the underwriters to determine if you are insurable and should be written an insurance policy. The husband that she married had a few accidents on his driving record and coupled with them having bad credit, their auto insurer said “See ya!”

3. Broken Windshield

One man actually was dropped for insurance claims that he filed due to a broken windshield. The guy must have been asking for it by having probably a dozen cracked windshields in a month right? Wrong. The man had two, count them two cracked windshields in a 30 day period. Now, cracked windshields do not break the bank to fix, so if you live near a school, baseball field, or golf course then you may want to move or park your vehicle in a garage.

4. Stationary Accidents

Another woman was dropped from her car insurance provider because her car was hit while it was not moving on two separate occasions. Now, risk is one thing, but if your car is not being driven then why should an insurer be able to drop you when someone else hit you? Why would you even be considered to be a risk to insure when you were not even near your car and could not avoid the collision happening in the first place? The person was unlucky but not everyone gambles and wins every single time and insurers should know that and not punish someone for unforeseen circumstances.

5. Identity Theft

One California woman had her auto insurance canceled due to identity theft. A female identity thief used her checking account information to fraudulent open an auto insurance account with another insurance provider and then she did not ever pay the premiums again. This led to the woman being dropped from her insurance provider because someone else stole her information and had not paid the premiums on time each month.

6. Accidents Over the Long Term

A man who filed claims for three very minor fender benders over a period of 15 years ended up being dumped from his auto insurance company. The damage totaled less than $5000 in all three accidents yet he was deemed to be too big of a risk to insure. Most people would agree that cancelling under such conditions is a bit absurd.

7. Bounced Checks

Finally, a man in Maine had his insurance policy canceled because he let his premium checks bounce two times in two years. The auto insurance company said that lack of payment was taken into consideration and that they could no longer underwrite a policy for him with their insurance company. It would have been much simpler for them to simply collect payment from the customer, and not only recover the customer, but prevented them from sharing their poor experience with others.

It seems as though car insurance policies have become increasingly difficult for drivers to secure for the long term, which is now due much in part to auto insurance fraud and other issues. There are millions of vehicles on the road and sadly accidents happen every single day. It is important for people that have been told that their car insurance is being canceled because they need to purchase a policy through another provider before the cancellation is completed.

Receiving an insurance policy cancellation letter is no fun. Once a person has their car insurance policy canceled, it is not just a headache that they face; they will also face massive insurance premium hikes. Auto insurance companies are not really “independent” in the sense of the word. They all can access the same information about each driver that applies for an insurance policy through their company. If say Insurance-Company-A sees that Insurance-Company-B has canceled a driver’s insurance policy then they will get suspicious and will be less likely to underwrite a policy. The auto insurance company that does in fact underwrite an insurance policy for that same driver, could end up charging the driver two or three times more money each month for their insurance premiums.

Drivers need to understand that auto insurance is almost becoming a privilege for people to have so it is important to know that auto insurance policies can be canceled for even the smallest reasons. Before filing an insurance claim, think twice about it and ask yourself do you really need to file that claim or can you afford to pay out of pocket and save yourself some headaches down the road.

[If you know of any other crazy reasons for policy cancellations, please add it in the comments below.]

When the economy is sluggish, some car owners tend to lapse in car insurance. It is tempting to do, as some folks need to reduce some expenses, for a number of reasons. Maybe the income reduced within the home or the mortgage payments increased. For whatever reason, some automobile owners believe that they can curtail auto coverage to help financially. Regrettably, coverage for vehicles is not one most folks can skimp on or avoid paying for. Almost every state in the U.S. requires drivers to have vehicle insurance, a certain amount of liability, even to register an automobile. The laws and regulations, as well as the possible ramifications for not having a policy differ for each state.

Let us look at the state of New Hampshire, for example. Drivers are not obligated to carry liability; however, in the state of Virginia, should a driver choose not to purchase car insurance, the driver will end up owing the state a yearly payment of approximately $500.00. Comparable penalties or charges are customary, and removal of driving and registration privileges is customary in many states too. In some instances, a driver can serve time in jail for not having the proper auto coverage. Therefore, trying to avoid paying for this type of coverage could end up costing someone more money and much frustration in the end.

Purchasing an automobile insurance policy on the Internet has saved many individuals money. Comparing a few different quotes makes the whole process go quicker and easier as well. Insurance agencies with affordable prices ranges do exist. Many of the agencies will ask consumers what they can afford to pay and will work diligently to locate the best quotes for car insurance, as well as find them the best coverage. Insurance agents will help an automobile owner get the policy that best suits him or her and will advise him or her about what is necessary for coverage and what is not necessary. Some companies even offer discounts for specific reasons.

What is the Main Reason why Coverage is a State Requirement in 49 States?

The main reason for obligatory vehicle coverage is to shield the community from the tall expenses of damages, physical harms and damage to property pursuant to an automobile accident. The majority of states create a negligibly suitable stage of insurance protection to ensure health and property expenses are feasible. Hence, if drivers have adequate car insurance and they are involved in an accident and deemed to be at fault, the insurance agency will cover the medical expenses, deliver recompense for loss of wages, and cover a certain amount of property damage costs for the other motorist. Similar protection will cover additional folks who are in the other vehicle at the time of an accident, and cover ones in the insured automobile, except if the persons in the auto are kin to the driver.

Conversely, a number of openings exist in vehicle policies that satisfy just the state-mandatory stage of car insurance. If an individual has only liability, the minimum amount required in his or her state, things like fires, thefts and vandalism incidents are not covered, if they are not associated with the car accident and, there are no extras with just liability for things like towing, roadside assistance and so forth. Additionally, if a driver runs into a person who does not have insurance, the insured will have to pay the extra amounts for damages to the automobile or medical expenses. Insurance companies will not disburse the full amount to the driver in that type of situation. For that reason, many car insurance agencies advise drivers to add comprehensive protection to their policies.

While many credible studies show that women don’t tend to drink and drive as often as men, or that their maternal instincts make them more careful drivers, they are certainly not the end of the story when it comes to the driving acumen of man versus woman. Like most other things, there is plenty of evidence out there that refutes the claim that women are better drivers than men. In fact, the prevailing sentiment continues to persist that men best women when it comes to matters of the road.

If men are going to boast about their superiority to women on the open road, they might as well have some ammunition to back it up, and most of these points are backed up by reputable studies:

#1: Men are Involved in Fewer Crashes than Women, Per Mile Driven

Most people automatically assume that male drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents. After all, guys tend to be a lot more aggressive behind the wheel. There are plenty of studies that show that men are more dangerous drivers, but a study by Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health* flies in their faces. The study, which was conducted all the way back in 1998, examined the total number of crashes – non-fatal and fatal alike – and tallied them up by sex. The results were quite interesting, to say the least.

The study showed that men have, on average, 5.1 crashes for every one million miles that they drive. Women, on the other hand, have 5.7 crashes for the same number of miles driven. These results are even more telling when you consider the fact that men drive 74% more miles than women do. The researchers involved in the study did say that younger male drivers tend to skew things considerably, too. Under age 20, male drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes. Between ages 20 and 35, women and men are equally likely to be involved in crashed. Over age 35, women are more likely to be involved in crashes.

#2: Women + Cellphones

We’re all familiar with the cliché of the female tethered to the phone, providing an intricate account of the days events to anyone who will listen. This is one cliché that appears to have been substantiated. According to a recent Nielsen survey*, women talk on the phone 22% more than men each month; a total of 14 hours and 16 minutes – presumably many of those hours logged while navigating a multi-ton automobile through the city streets. According to the National Highway Safety Administration*, 6,000 car crashes a year involve an inattentive driver. The number one culprit is, you guessed it… cellphone usage.

That’s not to say men are completely innocent when it comes to the crime of DWT (driving while talking), but refer to point #6. Enhanced natural ability perhaps provides a bit of a buffer zone when it comes to juggling multiple tasks. Does anyone doubt that Mario Andretti couldn’t have won the French Grand Prix whilst twirling a flaming torch with his left hand?

#3 PMS and Sleep Deprivation

Most of us have likely incurred the wrath of an important female in our lives during “that time of the month”. The wrath just might be warranted though – sleep deprivation is a common symptom of PMS. A study conducted by the Human Sleep Research Program* found that women with PMS tend to report more sleep-related complaints, including wakefulness, insomnia and fatigue. Sleep deprivation and driving is a potent mix – data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration* indicates that over 40,000 crashes per year in the United States occur due to driver drowsiness and fatigue. Additionally, PMS can cause a rational driver to become highly irrational; Road rage is a major epidemic on highways today.

Any individual – male or female, who is sleep deprived and in a horrible mood does not make for the safest driver – the recipe of one part drowsiness and one part PMS induced anger, mixed with subpar ability is not exactly the harbinger of safety on the open road.

#4: Studies Show That Both Sexes Agree: Men are Better Drivers

While studies can be flawed, gut instinct is hard to argue. Plenty of polls have been conducted that gauge the road prowess of the sexes. A recent one* conducted by Harris-Decima, a Canada-based pollster, showed that 36% of respondents claimed that men were better drivers – that’s compared to just 29% who made the same claim about women. Interestingly enough, 48% of male respondents said that men were better drivers, while only 25% of women thought that their skills trumped those of men on the road. Some would say sexism is to blame, and perhaps men are just over confident in their abilities*, but it looks like plenty of women will willingly agree that men are superior drivers.

#5: 99% of Winning Race Car Drivers are Men

In the world of auto racing, the vast majority of participants are guys, and in terms of winning too.. In fact, over all the years of professional racing Danica Patrick has been the only woman to ever win a Indy Car race (Indy Japan 300). Not only has every other race been won by a male, but some male drivers have won it more than three times (A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears). Driving techniques are a hot topic among men, who will sit and debate the merits of driving in the fast lane versus the slow lane for hours and hours; most women’s eyes will glaze over during such a conversation.

#6: Car-Related Female Fatalities on the Rise

While many are ready to point to studies that show that wmoen drivers, few people have noticed some of the key studies showing that men are indeed better drivers in some regards. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study* showed that traffic fatalities among women have increased within the last 25 years, while the number of male deaths during that same time period have decreased.

According to the study, which culled data from between 1975 and 2003, the number of female traffic fatalities rose by a whopping 14% over that time period. The number of male fatalities, meanwhile, plummeted by 11%. The study does issue the caveat that the number of female drivers rose considerably during that period of time; still, though, that can’t possibly account for such a massive disparity. As much as the fact that men are risky drivers may be bandied about, the cold, hard facts show that women are becoming progressively worse at driving over time – and that could spell major trouble down (and on) the road.

#7: Men Pass the Driving Test Faster

From a very young age, most boys show a natural inclination towards using motorized vehicles. Some would say that this a classic example of “nature versus nurture” and the whole gender stereotyping thing – in other words, boys’ parents are more likely to encourage them to enjoy cars than their female counterparts. That being said, there’s no denying the fact that guys, as a general rule, have a strong natural ability and comprehension when it comes to cars. According to Britain’s Driving Standards Agency*, men are naturally better drivers than women. Robin Cummins oversees the driving tests of more than one million students per year; it’s safe to say that he has a great deal of experience in the field. For one thing, Cummins says that it takes women, on average, 2.12 tests to pass the drivers test; and men take about 1.87 tests to pass. What’s more is that women have to pay about 14 hours more worth of tuition than their male counterparts do. In other words, they require more schooling before they are ready to take and pass the driving test. Female drivers have a pass rate of 40%, while men enjoy a rate of 46%. When taken together, this evidence strongly suggests that men are born with a more intuitive grasp of driving and understand how to do it more naturally than women do.

#8 Men Have Stronger Abilities for Judging Speed, Spatial Analysis, & Mathematical Calculations

“One of the most interesting differences appear in the way men and women estimate time, judge speed of things, carry out mental mathematical calculations, orient in space and visualize objects in three dimensions, etc. In all these tasks, women and men are strikingly different, as they are too in the way their brains process language. This may account, scientists say, for the fact that there are many more male mathematicians, airplane pilots, bush guides, mechanical engineers, architects and race car drivers than female ones.

On the other hand, women are better than men in human relations, recognizing emotional overtones in others and in language, emotional and artistic expressiveness, esthetic appreciation, verbal language and carrying out detailed and pre-planned tasks. For example, women generally can recall lists of words or paragraphs of text better than men”* *

Not only can men play Tetris better, but they can navigate a car better through complex environments too.

#9: Men Have a Greater Experience With Cars

The automobile was invented by a man (Karl Benz), and for the most part, tinkered with ever since by men as well. as men seem to have an intuitive grasp of how automobiles work. That’s not to say that women don’t play a part in modern-day automobile engineering. Men tend to start driving at a younger age, and also tend to log more miles. They tend to improve their driving knowledge as well.

#10: Women are More Likely to Drive with Pets in their Cars & Obstructions in Their Mirrors

One fact seems to be irrefutably true: Women are more likely to drive around with dogs in their cars. Celebrities like Paris Hilton have made owning pint-sized accessory dogs the “in” thing to do. As a result, scads of female imitators are running around with teeny-tiny dogs of their own. When they’re not hanging their itty-bitty pooches – who are bundled up in cute dog carriers – from their shoulders, these women are driving around with them as front-seat passengers, potentially becoming very dangerous distractions to safe driving. Men are more likely to have their dog in the back of their pick-up truck, where they won’t get in the way.

Survey’s have also shown that female drivers are more likely to hang things from their rear-view mirrors. In doing so, they obstruct their view and aren’t going to be as well-equipped for dealing with on-the-road incidents. Hanging random things from a rear-view mirror is a surefire way to reduce visibility – and to increase the odds of an otherwise avoidable accident. Guys aren’t totally immune to this problem, but it’s a lot more common among women.

As a result of the danger they pose, it’s illegal to hang things from a rear-view mirror in some states*. In any event, there’s no denying that doing so can seriously compromise a driver’s ability to see. By not hanging things from a rear-view mirror, a driver can avoid getting a pesky ticket; more importantly, he can keep his line of sight free and clear. As you drive around, be on the lookout for drivers with things hanging from their mirrors – nine times out of ten, they’ll be female.

The Bottom Line Will the war between the sexes – at least when it comes to driving skill – ever be won? Probably not. The preceding points, though, can be used as ammunition in any given battle. No side will ever willingly admit defeat, but anyone who says that women are infinitely superior at driving needs to be made aware of these compelling points. Anyone who denies or downplays them just doesn’t want to admit how true they really are.

We need your help to find at least 3 more points why you believe men are better drivers, especially if you can back it up with scientific evidence/studies.
Let your thoughts be heard in the comments area at the end of this page:

*Sources

http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2005/gender.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3730094
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sex/articles/spatial_tests.shtml
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-life/cheney/men-vs-women-who-are-better-drivers/article1653975
http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n11/mente/eisntein/cerebro-homens.html
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/auto.html
http://www.askmen.com/top_10/cars/top-10-reasons-women-cant-drive_1.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article513993.ece
http://www.ctlawtribune.com/getarticle.aspx?ID=37988
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/06/980618032130.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/06/980618032130.htm
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/african-americans-women-and-southerners-talk-and-text-the-most-in-the-u-s/
http://www.distraction.gov/stats-and-facts/
http://www.sleep-aid-center.com/pms-and-sleep-women-with-severe-pms-perceive-their-sleep-quality-to-be-poor/
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/drowsy_driving1/drowsy.html

#1: Men Feel Like they “Own the Road”

According to a New York City traffic study*, a participant is quoted regarding the tendency of men to feel like they “own the road.” While there is no definitive way to quantify how many men feel this way, virtually anyone who has been a passenger in a car driven by a guy can attest to this fact. Many of the aggressive behaviors that men exhibit while behind the wheel could very well stem from their belief that the road is “theirs.” In turn, disregard for other drivers results in higher numbers of accidents and fatalities. Women tend to be more comfortable with the concept of sharing the road with others, and don’t tend to be possessive or territorial about their driving habits.

#2: Women Have Fewer Accidents

Male drivers often insist that they have more skill and finesse on the road than female drivers do. This may be true, but proving or disproving such a claim is virtually impossible. What can be quantified, though, are accident statistics. According to Quality Planning* (an insurance statistics company), their study shows that male drivers are significantly more likely to cause accidents than female drivers are. Most people would agree that accidents are definite signs of being not-so-skilled behind the wheel – after all, accident-prone drivers put all other drivers at risk every time they hit the road. As popular as the stereotype of the fender-bender-causing female may be, the stats show that men have a lot more problems in that area.

#3: Scantily Clad Women Are More of a Distraction to Men than Women

During the summer months, women are commonly seen walking around in decidedly skimpy attire. Some drivers tend to have a more difficult time keeping their eyes on the road when scantily-clad women walk by – and it’s fairly easy to surmise who they are. ABC News highlighted a study by the British car insurance agency Sheilas’ Wheels* that reports some very interesting facts about male drivers’ focus on the road during the summer. According to the study, approximately 29% of men report having trouble keeping their attentions on the road when skimpily-attired women pass them by. Needless to say, female drivers don’t tend to have the same issue. More tellingly, men file about 16% more insurance claims during the summer than women do.

#4: Motherly Instincts Give Female Drivers an Edge

In an article about a New York City traffic study* that generally shows 80% of all serious pedestrian accidents were caused by male drivers, the New York Times quotes a respondent who cites motherly instincts as being a major advantage that women have over men. Most people would agree that the majority of women are born with innate, nurturing instincts. Those instincts could make women more conscientious about being safe drivers. Most women have a natural tendency to want to protect those around them. Therefore, they are more likely to be defensive drivers and to steer as clear of accident-causing behaviors as possible.  Being a caring mother may pay off to becoming a caring, and therefore safer, driver.

#5: Women Have Longer Attention Spans, Partially Due to Estrogen

Recently, a whole lot of attention has been giving to the dangers of texting while driving. Prior to that, a huge movement about the dangers of talking on cell phones while driving was conducted*. Taking your attention away from the road is definitely a recipe for disaster, and it stands to reason that those with shorter attention spans are more likely to experience problems in that department. The University of Bradford study suggests that estrogen tends to give women much longer attention spans than men. Despite the popular stereotype of female drivers who apply makeup and perform other frivolous tasks behind the wheel, it is clear that women tend to be able to focus more carefully on important matters. When it comes to driving, this tendency gives them a distinct advantage over men. Quoting the study, “Oestrogens may positively influence neuronal activity in the frontal lobes, the area of the brain stimulated by tasks of attention and rule learning “

#6: Women are Better at Learning and Obeying Rules (Also due to Estrogen)

According to the same study above, women have a much better ability to learn rules than men do. This fact is also attributed to the hormone estrogen, and could explain why female drivers tend to be cited for far fewer traffic violations than men. The fact that women have a natural tendency to absorb and obey the rules could make them safer, and better, drivers.

#7: Women Break Fewer Traffic Laws than Men

According to the same study by Quality Planning*, women tend to break fewer traffic laws than their male counterparts. The fact that male drivers are more like to wave away traffic laws as being silly or superfluous is undeniably dangerous. Such laws are in place to maintain order and safety on the road. The study shows that statistically, men are much more likely to be cited for a litany of traffic violations. A few top examples include reckless driving, DUIs, speeding, failure to yield and stop sign/signal violations. If you see a guy driving around, it’s a lot more likely that he’ll cause a serious accident by disobeying traffic laws than it would be if he were a female driver.

#8: Women Outlive Men in General

The fact that women tend to outlive men is pretty much common knowledge. According to the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University*, 85% of those who live beyond the age of 100 are women. The article highlights several reasons for this; one of them involves the famously dangerous and aggressive behaviors of teenage males and guys in their twenties. The so-called “testosterone storm” that occurs during that age period surely has a significant impact on male driving habits. Women, of course, don’t have to cope with testosterone-fueled behavior shifts. As a result, they are much more likely to live through their teenage and young adult years; safer habits and behaviors, including those behind the wheel, help women outlive men by 5 to 10 years, on average.

#9: Women Have Fewer Driving-Related Fatalities

The Insurance Information Institute* brings additional information to light regarding the driving habits of men versus those of women. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, male drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in fatality-causing accidents than women are. Aggressive driving habits tend to be at the center of this phenomenon. Risk of fatalities between both sexes tends to go down as drivers’ ages go up, further reinforcing the concept that aggressive and risk-taking behaviors – which tend to be the provenance of the young and unskilled – trigger more deaths than anything else on the road.

#10: Men Aren’t the Only Race Car Drivers

NASCAR fans will attest that the fact that the vast majority of race car drivers are men signifies that men are more skilled behind the wheel. You’d have to be living under a rock, though, to be unaware of the fact that there is one glaring exception to this rule. Her name is Danica Patrick, and she’s proven to be one of the most skilled race car drivers out there*. In addition to participating in NASCAR/ARCA racing, Patrick has been a prominent fixture on the IndyCar Series for some time, and the first woman ever to win an Indy race, and recently placed 3rd in the Indianapolis 500. While some would argue that one female driver amid hundreds of guys doesn’t mean a whole lot, the fact remains that men do not hold a strict monopoly in the world of auto racing.

#11: Women are More Likely to Wear Seatbelts

While buckling a seatbelt isn’t necessarily a sure sign of driving prowess, it does indicate a more conscientious approach to operating a motor vehicle. Several studies, including the one from SADD* (Students Against Drunk Driving) notes that about 12.5% of male students admit to rarely or never using seatbelts. That’s compared with about 7.8% of female students. Having the wherewithal to use a seatbelt is a clear demonstration that a driver takes safety on the road seriously. Most would agree that safety on the road is a clear indication of skill behind the wheel.

#12: Men Are More Likely to Drive and Drive

Drinking and driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and fatalities* according to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). The aforementioned NYC traffic study touches upon the fact that men are more likely to take drugs and drink before getting behind the wheel. A huge amount of evidence exists, such as the Michigan Drunk Driving Audit, to support the fact that men are much more likely to be arrested and convicted of DUIs than women*. Again, this concept could be tied to men’s sense of power and control over the road, and to their more aggressive tendencies in general. The fact that women are more reluctant to drive while impaired reinforces the concept that they are safer, more conscientious drivers than men.

#13: Testosterone = Aggression?

Despite the widespread belief that an overabundance of testosterone may lead to aggressive behavior, many recent studies, such as one by the New York Academy of Sciences*, suggest that a deficiency of the famous male hormone may be behind more aggressive behavior. Evidence about such a link is still unclear, but there is definitely a fundamental difference in the way that men and women behave in many scenarios. Since aggressive driving tends to be a higher problem among male drivers, there’s a very real possibility that testosterone is somehow to blame.

Conclusion:

Do the preceding points definitively prove that women are better drivers than men? Not necessarily. When considered on a case-by-case basis, it’s easy to refute or downplay those points. When taken as a whole, though, they present a very compelling argument for the fact that women tend to be safer, more conscientious – and better – drivers. Regardless of how much evidence exists – and continues to crop up – there’s no doubt that the never-ending battle between the sexes will continue. As long as men and women exist, that battle will never be definitively won. If you have a choice between being driven around by a woman or a man, though, you should probably hedge your bets and stick with the female driver.

Do you agree or disagree? Let your thoughts be heard in the comments area at the end of this page:

* Sources:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/pedsafetyreport.shtml
http://www.alphagalileo.org/
http://www.qualityplanning.com/
http://www.sheilaswheels.com/
http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/life_sciences/report-51251.html
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/pedsafetyreport.shtml
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/29773.php
http://www.iii.org
http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm
http://www.madd.org/Drunk-Driving/Drunk-Driving/Statistics.aspx
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1645_3501_4626-27728–,00.html
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1196/annals.1330.016/abstract

THE VALUE OF AN INSURANCE AGENT

With Internet usage on the rise, many consumers bypass their number one friend when it comes to saving money on car insurance – an insurance agent. An insurance agent’s job is to make sure people have the coverage that is right for them at a price they can live with. Insurance agents can, more often than not, secure rates that are not available to the general consumer – often with companies that are “invitation only”, meaning an insurance agent has to recommend you to the insurance company.

As an example, a young married couple with three children, college degrees and one past license suspension between them can pay, as a minimum, $1,800 a year to insure three cars, two of which are financed. Keep in mind that this is a good rate, when obtained without the assistance of an insurance agent, but through other means, such as a policy obtained on the Internet, through a reputable company. However, that same couple can go to an insurance agent, who can start a policy with one of the “invitation only” insurance companies, and end up paying only $900 a year for the same coverage. One little change, and that couple saved $1,000 a year!! That’s a lot of groceries!!

REMEMBER TO SHOP AROUND

Shop around. Even with insurance agents. Don’t give up until you have a quote you are satisfied with. Don’t overpay because you are lazy. Insurance agents can often quote premiums over the phone; it only takes a few minutes!

Do not rule out auto insurance quotes you obtain yourself, you may stumble across an inexpensive one at a website like E-Surance. To save money on car insurance, you should shop around as much as you did for your actual car. Just like car salesmen, insurance agents have the ability to haggle with the insurance companies to secure you a lower rate.

ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS

Always ask about discounts, when signing your auto policy for the first time and each time the policy renews. It is not up to the insurance company or even your insurance agent to be proactive in detecting new discounts. If you recently completed college, got married, had a baby, took a defensive driver class or even had a birthday, it is a good idea to ask about new insurance discounts! It’s never too late to save!

So, when should a person ask for a discount? One of the best times is obviously after a period of time without any accidents or tickets. Begin talking to your agent after 6 months of no incidents. This alone could save 5%-10%.

Another good time is when your teen driver is making grades with an average of “B” or over. Many insurance companies have a “good student” discount. Along with that, making sure that the teen is listed as primary driver on the cheapest vehicle you have is a good way to save money on car insurance. Some companies also have discounts if your teen has taken drivers education classes. Some give discounts for college students. Tell your insurer right away.

Always ask for discounts for insuring more than one vehicle with a single company. This is a good business practice for the insurer. It is their best interest to have all of your policies with them so giving a discount is usually automatic. But ask just to be sure.

If you have health, dental, and home insurance with different companies ask for a discount for bringing them all under one roof. Again, not having to share premiums with other companies can make it worth the discount to them. This would also be a great time to see if your other insurers’ rates would be cheaper for auto insurance.

An important time to ask for a discount is after improving your credit score. Many insurance companies use credit scores in calculating premiums. The show of reliability and responsibility translates into maturity for the company. More mature drivers will have less accidents and cost the company less. Hence, a discount opportunity.

It is a good idea to ask for discounts on a regular basis. Just ask if you qualify for any discounts. That may bring your agent to thinking about discounts that are are not automatic. For you it could be a discount because you drive less miles than the average in your area. A purchase of anti-theft device is another discount that is not automatic. You may get a discount for for safety devices like side airbags. Tracking devices may also fall in this area. Accidents can cost thousands of dollars in doctor’s bills. Anything that will keep you safe saves them money. Reducing theft saves them money. If you are saving the insurance company money, then it makes sense for them to offer you discounts. So, go after those discounts. My agent Tim has got to be sick of me telling him that I always wear my seat belt every time I see him. If you are like me, just taking a vacation means saving money where ever I can. Saving money on car insurance is a simple step towards that.

Statistics show that men are more likely to break traffic laws, and receive traffic violations. This and other studies help the insurance companies set their rates when it comes to safe drivers. Men drivers are cited more than 50% that of women for; reckless driving, no seat belts, failure to yield, improper use of turn signals, and many more traffic violations. Let’s not forget DUI’s. Men are also more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol than women. After years of studies, the insurance companies have conducted, on their male and female policyholders, the results spoke for themselves. Men are risk takers, and seems to throw caution to the wind, when it comes to driving.

The study also showed that women are less likely to be at fault in an accident, when compared to men. Insurance companies pay out more money in claims, for men who are involved in accidents, than for women. With all these facts and evidence close at hand the insurance companies have made up their minds; that men are bad drivers, or worse drivers when compared to women. The price quotes that men receive, and the higher insurance premiums they pay, reflects their carelessness when it comes to safe driving. While age does matter, there are a lot of factors that men need to take in consideration when driving. Pay close attention to the speedometer, come to a complete stop when approaching a stop sign, and please, please, DON’T drink and drive.

All insurance companies use the NADA book for wholesale and retail prices and if they’re going to pay off your vehicle because of a lost this guide will provide the high and low amounts that your vehicle will be worth, and you can bet they will use the lower margin if possible. So for you the consumer having the wider range of coverages will protect your out of pocket cost if any later on. Consider it a savings plan even if you never go through the experience of having your car stolen or totaled in an accident.

Though most manufacturers today install anti theft devices, criminals have found new ways to get around them and as the adage goes, better safe than sorry, so by having better insurance coverages it’ll help you sleep at night. Of course this is my personal opinion and having lived through the experience of having a car stolen, I guess I am best qualified to assure you of the facts. Besides you don’t want to leave the appraisal to an insurance adjuster who will surely adjust the payoff in favor of the insurance company leaving you with an out of pocket expense on top of not having a vehicle to drive, so get the better coverage for your own peace of mind. On the flip side, if you purchased a less expensive automobile then I would suggest you stay with the required basic coverage and opt out of the more expensive one because the value of your car won’t be worth much because of the depreciation factor once you drive off the lot. Remember money spent well is money saved.