Why are women drivers so rude?
Discussion
I also find it's women drivers that are more likely to shout and swear and make gestures when THEY'VE done something wrong like pulled out in front of you.
If I make a mistake, I tend to apologise. Partly because you never know if the other driver is a psycho. Wimmen don't seem to even consider that might be a problem.
If I make a mistake, I tend to apologise. Partly because you never know if the other driver is a psycho. Wimmen don't seem to even consider that might be a problem.
Humm never really thought about it myself, but now you come to mention it yes that is pretty true of my experience to the rough tune of 1/3 to 2/3.
The proportion of male to female drivers on the road by time of day and geography will make a difference to everyones view of this one :-)
The proportion of male to female drivers on the road by time of day and geography will make a difference to everyones view of this one :-)
Rich W - Absolutely spot on. Some months back was approaching a mini roundabout with good views to my right (about 450 metres) and only one car visible approaching the roundabout, in the opposite direction to me. I slowed as normal because I wanted to be sure the oncoming driver was either going to go straight on, or be able to brake if the oncoming driver decided to turn to his right around the roundabout without giving a signal (as so many knobs seem to do these days) I was actually on the roundabout, when a woman in a Ford Ka charged straight out in front of me from the left, AFTER she had seen me approaching from her right FFS!!??. I was going slowly as noted above and stopped easily before it came to T boning her car.
To my utter surprise SHE started shaking her fist and swearing at me, when SHE was the one who had broken the law and was driving like a complete t**nt.
If I had done what she did to someone else, I would have accepted that I was completely in the wrong and apologised immediately, and If I had not apologised, would have expected to be followed by the other driver, and (at the least) got a ticking off. But oh no! Not Mrs Gob on a stick who had to become abusive even after SHE was the one who was totally in the wrong.
To my utter surprise SHE started shaking her fist and swearing at me, when SHE was the one who had broken the law and was driving like a complete t**nt.
If I had done what she did to someone else, I would have accepted that I was completely in the wrong and apologised immediately, and If I had not apologised, would have expected to be followed by the other driver, and (at the least) got a ticking off. But oh no! Not Mrs Gob on a stick who had to become abusive even after SHE was the one who was totally in the wrong.
Good morning everybody. I have just registered on this forum simply to have a say on this matter, even though I do admit to having lurked here a few times.
Really I do try to be objective and fair about the sex, race and age of other road users, but I must admit to have been puzzled for many years about why so many women drivers seem to be over-aggressive and rude.
Here's what I put it down to.
I think many women, lacking the testosterone that us fellas come naturally supplied with, feel scared and vulnerable on the road. They compensate for this by assuming an overly aggressive attitude, which they mistakenly believe makes them fit in a bit better with what they perceive to be the 'male' style of driving. To thank someone with a wave for a favour done, or to allow a bit of sensible blending, or let someone pull out of a side street, all seem to be 'lowering their guard' in my humble opinion.
Perhaps blokes should be a bit more thoughtful about why it is that this has come about, and why road use has come to be seen a such a 'masculine' occupation in women's eyes. Have you ever met a guy who cheerfully admits to being a poor or even a cautious driver? It's hard enough to learn to drive and get out there on the road (over 45 years ago in my case but I can still remember so well) without having the cultural handicap of thinking you are an imposter in a men's club. I can see why this happens. Perhaps much of the cause ultimately lies with us.
Really I do try to be objective and fair about the sex, race and age of other road users, but I must admit to have been puzzled for many years about why so many women drivers seem to be over-aggressive and rude.
Here's what I put it down to.
I think many women, lacking the testosterone that us fellas come naturally supplied with, feel scared and vulnerable on the road. They compensate for this by assuming an overly aggressive attitude, which they mistakenly believe makes them fit in a bit better with what they perceive to be the 'male' style of driving. To thank someone with a wave for a favour done, or to allow a bit of sensible blending, or let someone pull out of a side street, all seem to be 'lowering their guard' in my humble opinion.
Perhaps blokes should be a bit more thoughtful about why it is that this has come about, and why road use has come to be seen a such a 'masculine' occupation in women's eyes. Have you ever met a guy who cheerfully admits to being a poor or even a cautious driver? It's hard enough to learn to drive and get out there on the road (over 45 years ago in my case but I can still remember so well) without having the cultural handicap of thinking you are an imposter in a men's club. I can see why this happens. Perhaps much of the cause ultimately lies with us.
vincevega said:
I’ve been developing a theory about this for some time. It’s still a work in progress and needs some refining so bear with me.
As I see it us men, right back to prehistory, have generally been drawn to more dangerous undertakings than women. Things like hunting, exploration, warfare, mining, seafaring and so on. A successful outcome (and even survival) in many of these activities relies on teamwork, co-operation and trust. So over millennia men have learnt the value of getting along and co-operating with each other. We present day men are products of this way of thinking.
In terms of road usage men therefore tend to accept that they and other road users just have a job to do and that the application of a bit of commonsense and co-operation helps everybody on their way. Most fellow male road users will acknowledge an act of courtesy (i.e. teamwork) from another road user (most probably another male) because not to would go against the deeply ingrained, unwritten code of ‘real men’ which has evolved over countless generation. No decent self respecting male would deliberately snub a fellow male road user.
Our womenfolk on the other hand do not have this background of dangerous work. Traditional women’s occupations such as childminding, berry picking, weaving, cooking, ironing and cleaning are generally solitary, non hazardous occupations that do not require teamwork and cooperation for success - hence women have not developed co-operative behaviour. This, I believe, goes someway to explaining their dozy and selfish conduct on the road.
The other contributing factor here is that women are also deeply envious of men’s superior driving skills. They have been fed so much guff over the years by the feminist press and Radio 4 about women’s supposed superiority over men in all aspects of human endeavour that they are starting to believe it. So when they are out and about on the roads they regard us men as an inferior species (they probably call something like road apes) who are just cluttering up the road and preventing them from getting to where they want to be. However when they see us effortlessly piloting our vehicles with supreme skill and precision these women just can’t get their pretty heads around it. After all, Germaine Greer and Joan Bakewell told them that they are at least as good as men but the evidence is plain for all to see they just can’t operate a vehicle as well as us. In general women just don't want to accept this and consequently refuse to acknowledge decent civilsed behaviour on the roads.
That, gentlemen, is why women refuse to acknowledge your courteous behaviour on the road. Even Mrs Vega agrees with (some of) this.
Excellent first post. As I see it us men, right back to prehistory, have generally been drawn to more dangerous undertakings than women. Things like hunting, exploration, warfare, mining, seafaring and so on. A successful outcome (and even survival) in many of these activities relies on teamwork, co-operation and trust. So over millennia men have learnt the value of getting along and co-operating with each other. We present day men are products of this way of thinking.
In terms of road usage men therefore tend to accept that they and other road users just have a job to do and that the application of a bit of commonsense and co-operation helps everybody on their way. Most fellow male road users will acknowledge an act of courtesy (i.e. teamwork) from another road user (most probably another male) because not to would go against the deeply ingrained, unwritten code of ‘real men’ which has evolved over countless generation. No decent self respecting male would deliberately snub a fellow male road user.
Our womenfolk on the other hand do not have this background of dangerous work. Traditional women’s occupations such as childminding, berry picking, weaving, cooking, ironing and cleaning are generally solitary, non hazardous occupations that do not require teamwork and cooperation for success - hence women have not developed co-operative behaviour. This, I believe, goes someway to explaining their dozy and selfish conduct on the road.
The other contributing factor here is that women are also deeply envious of men’s superior driving skills. They have been fed so much guff over the years by the feminist press and Radio 4 about women’s supposed superiority over men in all aspects of human endeavour that they are starting to believe it. So when they are out and about on the roads they regard us men as an inferior species (they probably call something like road apes) who are just cluttering up the road and preventing them from getting to where they want to be. However when they see us effortlessly piloting our vehicles with supreme skill and precision these women just can’t get their pretty heads around it. After all, Germaine Greer and Joan Bakewell told them that they are at least as good as men but the evidence is plain for all to see they just can’t operate a vehicle as well as us. In general women just don't want to accept this and consequently refuse to acknowledge decent civilsed behaviour on the roads.
That, gentlemen, is why women refuse to acknowledge your courteous behaviour on the road. Even Mrs Vega agrees with (some of) this.
Edited by vincevega on Wednesday 24th April 13:58
I had a woman right up my rear end this morning. Prostate exam.
Ha. Ha.
Aside from that, I too agree with the lack of politeness amongst the fairer sex.
There also seems to be a lack of awareness. Does anyone else, as a man, instantly recognise their friend's car if you see them on the road? Men will flash each other and wave if they pass each other. I swear I once followed my mum home (she happened to drive past me at a roundabout and I pulled out behind her) and when I pulled into the drive behind her she said "Oh, what a coincidence." I'd only been following her for about ten miles!
I've seen friends who are girls on the way to college on a morning and I've flashed them, pulled alongside them (Dual-carriageway), waved at them, and they've been completely oblivious! Whereas male friends will see me miles back and do their best to run me off the road when I get anywhere near. That's friendship.
There are four things I hate:
1. - Women
2. - Sexists
3. - Lists
4. - Irony
5. - People who can't count
Ha. Ha.
Aside from that, I too agree with the lack of politeness amongst the fairer sex.
There also seems to be a lack of awareness. Does anyone else, as a man, instantly recognise their friend's car if you see them on the road? Men will flash each other and wave if they pass each other. I swear I once followed my mum home (she happened to drive past me at a roundabout and I pulled out behind her) and when I pulled into the drive behind her she said "Oh, what a coincidence." I'd only been following her for about ten miles!
I've seen friends who are girls on the way to college on a morning and I've flashed them, pulled alongside them (Dual-carriageway), waved at them, and they've been completely oblivious! Whereas male friends will see me miles back and do their best to run me off the road when I get anywhere near. That's friendship.
There are four things I hate:
1. - Women
2. - Sexists
3. - Lists
4. - Irony
5. - People who can't count
I had a woman overtake a line of parked cars on her side of the road. I was coming towards her doing dead on the speed limit on my motorbike.
There was nowhere for me to go because the road was not wide enough, so i had to bang the brakes on.
She went absolutely mental at me! implying that i was going too fast and to complicate matters the car i had just overtaken before i got into the 30mph limit then came along and the woman driver in that started giving me dirty looks.
I know when i am beaten, so i rode away...
Maybe there should be separate, different driving tests for Males and Females?
There was nowhere for me to go because the road was not wide enough, so i had to bang the brakes on.
She went absolutely mental at me! implying that i was going too fast and to complicate matters the car i had just overtaken before i got into the 30mph limit then came along and the woman driver in that started giving me dirty looks.
I know when i am beaten, so i rode away...
Maybe there should be separate, different driving tests for Males and Females?
chrisxr2 said:
Noticed this today, let 4 women out the gym, car park,only one waved and that was back to me as I shouted about her lack of manners to myself and raised my hand.
And that was probably just a reflex 'someone waved at me, so I'd better wave back... who was that anyway?' momentHoink said:
Another one...
Driving through a housing estate next to my house and a bin van was pulled up on the opposite side of the road. Driving towards it, two cars passed on my side and a third chanced it. When I say chanced it, I was level with the front of the truck when she decided to pull round. She gave me all sort of expletives and then stopped behind so I bit and reversed back, the conversation went something like this:
Me: "what were you thinking?"
Her: "You could have killed me"
(Doubtful, I was doing approx 15mph and was the one who stopped, she kept going)
Me: "you were on my side of the road, I had right of way"
Her: "...but you saw me coming, you're an idiot and dangerous"
In ashamed to say I gave her a few choice words before driving off.
The point was, I couldn't see her coming as the truck was on a slight bend. I was driving slow as it's a built up area. More importantly, if she did see me then why did she pull out? No doubt she had the conversation at work afterwards which fully justified why she cut me up.
Looking back, I shouldn't have provoked her by reversing but I wanted to see what she was going to say. I've also no doubt that there are as many angry men about. I buy into the fact they are ashamed of their actions but too stubborn to apologise. If I make a mistake, which happens, I simply acknowledge and raise a hand to apolgise. I've never had a bad reaction yet from that.
Incredible. I had completely forgotten about this and passed her again this morning. She was driving a different car and decided to give me the beans as she drove towards me. I only noticed her as she drifted towards my side of the road as she looked directly at me waving her little fist, eyes off the road the whole time. Proper bit of mental this one, there is one lucky fella out there somewhere.Driving through a housing estate next to my house and a bin van was pulled up on the opposite side of the road. Driving towards it, two cars passed on my side and a third chanced it. When I say chanced it, I was level with the front of the truck when she decided to pull round. She gave me all sort of expletives and then stopped behind so I bit and reversed back, the conversation went something like this:
Me: "what were you thinking?"
Her: "You could have killed me"
(Doubtful, I was doing approx 15mph and was the one who stopped, she kept going)
Me: "you were on my side of the road, I had right of way"
Her: "...but you saw me coming, you're an idiot and dangerous"
In ashamed to say I gave her a few choice words before driving off.
The point was, I couldn't see her coming as the truck was on a slight bend. I was driving slow as it's a built up area. More importantly, if she did see me then why did she pull out? No doubt she had the conversation at work afterwards which fully justified why she cut me up.
Looking back, I shouldn't have provoked her by reversing but I wanted to see what she was going to say. I've also no doubt that there are as many angry men about. I buy into the fact they are ashamed of their actions but too stubborn to apologise. If I make a mistake, which happens, I simply acknowledge and raise a hand to apolgise. I've never had a bad reaction yet from that.
peter pan said:
Rich W - Absolutely spot on. Some months back was approaching a mini roundabout with good views to my right (about 450 metres) and only one car visible approaching the roundabout, in the opposite direction to me. I slowed as normal because I wanted to be sure the oncoming driver was either going to go straight on, or be able to brake if the oncoming driver decided to turn to his right around the roundabout without giving a signal (as so many knobs seem to do these days) I was actually on the roundabout, when a woman in a Ford Ka charged straight out in front of me from the left, AFTER she had seen me approaching from her right FFS!!??. I was going slowly as noted above and stopped easily before it came to T boning her car.
To my utter surprise SHE started shaking her fist and swearing at me, when SHE was the one who had broken the law and was driving like a complete t**nt.
If I had done what she did to someone else, I would have accepted that I was completely in the wrong and apologised immediately, and If I had not apologised, would have expected to be followed by the other driver, and (at the least) got a ticking off. But oh no! Not Mrs Gob on a stick who had to become abusive even after SHE was the one who was totally in the wrong.
Women are never wrong. What is true in the house is enhanced in the car. I too have witnessed this from the other side and when next to them.To my utter surprise SHE started shaking her fist and swearing at me, when SHE was the one who had broken the law and was driving like a complete t**nt.
If I had done what she did to someone else, I would have accepted that I was completely in the wrong and apologised immediately, and If I had not apologised, would have expected to be followed by the other driver, and (at the least) got a ticking off. But oh no! Not Mrs Gob on a stick who had to become abusive even after SHE was the one who was totally in the wrong.
I saw my mrs go ballistic at a guy who was gesticulating at her. What's his problem she asked me after going mental.
You pulled out on him and caused him to Make an emergency stop down the street, you know when I made that noise and then said what the f
k are you doing. You must remember it was less than a minute ago. I told you all about it when I said you just pulled out on him.Blank look then " no I didn't "
what the fk are all these woman doing out the kitchen!!
woman statisically are better drivers however men are actually better drivers (in both terms of speed,fast road and "proceedurally correct driving) however we "men" choose not to drive well. Id rather have the ability and choose not to use it than be oblivious to the driving world arround me
k are all these woman doing out the kitchen!!woman statisically are better drivers however men are actually better drivers (in both terms of speed,fast road and "proceedurally correct driving) however we "men" choose not to drive well. Id rather have the ability and choose not to use it than be oblivious to the driving world arround me
slipstream 1985 said:
woman statisically are better drivers however men are actually better drivers (in both terms of speed,fast road and "proceedurally correct driving) however we "men" choose not to drive well. Id rather have the ability and choose not to use it than be oblivious to the driving world arround me
Really how so? Are you just basing that on cost of insurance repairs? That old chestnut that women have been using for years . Smug woman mode we get cheaper insurance so we are better drivers.Woman drive half as many miles on average and have 3 times more accidents. It's just that their accidents don't normally cost as much for many reasons.
Stats from memory but not far off.
Edited by Pesty on Tuesday 30th April 19:37
peter pan said:
Rich W - Absolutely spot on. Some months back was approaching a mini roundabout with good views to my right (about 450 metres) and only one car visible approaching the roundabout, in the opposite direction to me. I slowed as normal because I wanted to be sure the oncoming driver was either going to go straight on, or be able to brake if the oncoming driver decided to turn to his right around the roundabout without giving a signal (as so many knobs seem to do these days) I was actually on the roundabout, when a woman in a Ford Ka charged straight out in front of me from the left, AFTER she had seen me approaching from her right FFS!!??. I was going slowly as noted above and stopped easily before it came to T boning her car.
To my utter surprise SHE started shaking her fist and swearing at me, when SHE was the one who had broken the law and was driving like a complete t**nt.
If I had done what she did to someone else, I would have accepted that I was completely in the wrong and apologised immediately, and If I had not apologised, would have expected to be followed by the other driver, and (at the least) got a ticking off. But oh no! Not Mrs Gob on a stick who had to become abusive even after SHE was the one who was totally in the wrong.
I've had this. A young girl on L plates with her female mate sat next to her. To my utter surprise SHE started shaking her fist and swearing at me, when SHE was the one who had broken the law and was driving like a complete t**nt.
If I had done what she did to someone else, I would have accepted that I was completely in the wrong and apologised immediately, and If I had not apologised, would have expected to be followed by the other driver, and (at the least) got a ticking off. But oh no! Not Mrs Gob on a stick who had to become abusive even after SHE was the one who was totally in the wrong.
As I came around the roundabout, I saw them approaching from the left and I made eye contact with them. Of course, I carried on my merry way expecting them to slow/stop , but she didn't and I had to slam on the anchors. I didn't react in any way, was too shocked tbh.
It was as if they were of the impression that I had to give way to them.
Still, at least they went around the roundabout the right way I suppose...
I think its a sort of single mindedness thing. They are driving from A to B and unless an obstruction is pretty much directly in their path they don't "see" it.
I've seen woman block a junction whilst in traffic, only for a car coming in the opposite direction to appear, wanting to turn right in to the junction they are blocking. You can almost see the "oh st" realisation once they figure out they are blocking. Its not done on purpose, they just weren't aware of the junction when they came to a stop. Likewise cars that have puled over to give way on a busy street etc - their objective is to get to the end of that road, provided the road is clear they're gone, they don't "see" you pulled in waiting for them to pass, so don't wave/give thanks.
There is some shocking driving around though, last week I was in lane 2 of a motorway, slightly in front of me in lane 3 is a 4x4 - Q7/X5 sort of thing. With no warning it moves in to lane 2 in front of me and brakes hard, I have to do the same, somewhat urgently and we've dropped 20-25mph off.
I'm wondering what this is all about but also notice lane 1 is now clear, I move across (safely!), our speeds rise a bit but 20 seconds later she does the exact same thing, this time she braked as she came across, I brake to accommodate her. FFS! I get a wave of acknowledgement this time though!
This was westbound M27, just where the M3 goes off, so Lane 1 goes to the M3, you can also exit M27 from lane 2 to go up the M3 or stay on it (with lane 3) to proceed along the M27.
I realise that she was in lane 3 and thought "I need to go up the M3, I'll move over" and did so, twice.
She didn't look in her mirrors properly and didn't even need to go to lane 1 as she could have stayed in lane 2 and exited for the M3 (indeed, when we got on the link to the M3 she got in to the outside lane and buggered off). Thing is she could have moved in to lane 2 without braking, stayed there and just exited for the M3, plenty of time and space for both.. too easy I guess.
I reckon it went something like this:
~Radio on in the background~
"dum de dum.. I wish this bloke would get out the way..
... hmm, I wonder if Rob will propose to Jenny in time for a summer wedding, that'd be nice...
... must book an appointment for my nails...
... I wonder if Helen is pregnant? Sarah said she doesn't think so, but theres something going on she didn't look rii.. wait, where am I ? *brakes*
ah, ok I need to get over *moves*
... that blue car is a bit close! anyway, where was I...
... ah, yeah Helen hmm, wait, I should get over again, *brakes*, *moves*
that blue car is close again! Wonder if he was there all the time ? hmm, better wave..
... whats the time? crikey I'll be late.. ah I can get in the outside lane up here..
... wonder if Dave will take me out for dinner tonight..
I've seen woman block a junction whilst in traffic, only for a car coming in the opposite direction to appear, wanting to turn right in to the junction they are blocking. You can almost see the "oh s
t" realisation once they figure out they are blocking. Its not done on purpose, they just weren't aware of the junction when they came to a stop. Likewise cars that have puled over to give way on a busy street etc - their objective is to get to the end of that road, provided the road is clear they're gone, they don't "see" you pulled in waiting for them to pass, so don't wave/give thanks.There is some shocking driving around though, last week I was in lane 2 of a motorway, slightly in front of me in lane 3 is a 4x4 - Q7/X5 sort of thing. With no warning it moves in to lane 2 in front of me and brakes hard, I have to do the same, somewhat urgently and we've dropped 20-25mph off.
I'm wondering what this is all about but also notice lane 1 is now clear, I move across (safely!), our speeds rise a bit but 20 seconds later she does the exact same thing, this time she braked as she came across, I brake to accommodate her. FFS! I get a wave of acknowledgement this time though!
This was westbound M27, just where the M3 goes off, so Lane 1 goes to the M3, you can also exit M27 from lane 2 to go up the M3 or stay on it (with lane 3) to proceed along the M27.
I realise that she was in lane 3 and thought "I need to go up the M3, I'll move over" and did so, twice.
She didn't look in her mirrors properly and didn't even need to go to lane 1 as she could have stayed in lane 2 and exited for the M3 (indeed, when we got on the link to the M3 she got in to the outside lane and buggered off). Thing is she could have moved in to lane 2 without braking, stayed there and just exited for the M3, plenty of time and space for both.. too easy I guess.
I reckon it went something like this:
~Radio on in the background~
"dum de dum.. I wish this bloke would get out the way..
... hmm, I wonder if Rob will propose to Jenny in time for a summer wedding, that'd be nice...
... must book an appointment for my nails...
... I wonder if Helen is pregnant? Sarah said she doesn't think so, but theres something going on she didn't look rii.. wait, where am I ? *brakes*
ah, ok I need to get over *moves*
... that blue car is a bit close! anyway, where was I...
... ah, yeah Helen hmm, wait, I should get over again, *brakes*, *moves*
that blue car is close again! Wonder if he was there all the time ? hmm, better wave..
... whats the time? crikey I'll be late.. ah I can get in the outside lane up here..
... wonder if Dave will take me out for dinner tonight..
Not really rude, as such, but I was just driving home along Telford Way in Shrewsbury (link goes to a Google Street View showing part of the road.)
Driving in the direction of that Street View (but a bit further back) I saw a police car coming towards us, the cars parted as best they could and it went past.
Now, I know from previous experience on this road that rarely are police cars alone, they're usually followed by a couple of others, so I was ready for it.
About 6 cars in front, I saw a BMW X5 move left into the cycle lane, so I knew straight away that more coppers were heading down. I indicated left, slowed down, pulled over to the side of the road and looked over at the driver of the car coming towards me. The guy driving that did much the same, and we slowed to a stop in such a way that there was a clear gap for the police to get through without having to drive in the middle of two lanes of cars.
Incredibly, the woman in the car behind me started gesticulating at me and then started trying to go around me, before she saw the squad car bearing down on her!
Driving in the direction of that Street View (but a bit further back) I saw a police car coming towards us, the cars parted as best they could and it went past.
Now, I know from previous experience on this road that rarely are police cars alone, they're usually followed by a couple of others, so I was ready for it.
About 6 cars in front, I saw a BMW X5 move left into the cycle lane, so I knew straight away that more coppers were heading down. I indicated left, slowed down, pulled over to the side of the road and looked over at the driver of the car coming towards me. The guy driving that did much the same, and we slowed to a stop in such a way that there was a clear gap for the police to get through without having to drive in the middle of two lanes of cars.
Incredibly, the woman in the car behind me started gesticulating at me and then started trying to go around me, before she saw the squad car bearing down on her!
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