Women warned about male drivers

[Posted: Tue 01/07/2008 by Deborah Condon]

Almost 70% of female passengers killed in car crashes are travelling in cars driven by men, new statistics have revealed.

The shocking figures have been released as part of a major new road safety campaign, ‘He Drives, She Dies’. They show that 1,444 females were killed or seriously injured in cars driven by males over the 10-year period, 1997 – 2006.

A total of 345 female passengers were killed during this period and of these, 234 (68%) were passengers in cars driven by males.

The statistics show that young people are particularly at risk. Overall, more than one-third of female passengers who were killed were travelling in cars driven by males aged 17–24. The figures also highlighted that of these deaths, seven in 10 were aged 17–24 themselves.

For example, in 2006, 21 female passengers were killed while travelling in cars driven by men. Of these, seven were travelling in cars where the male driver was aged 17–24 and five of these were aged 17–24 themselves.

The campaign, which has been developed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the cross-border group CAWT (Co-operation and Working Together), aims to empower females to say no to getting into a car with a male who drives dangerously.

Research carried out by CAWT in the border county region found that eight out of 10 people have felt unsafe as passengers in a car. Speeding was the behaviour that scared passengers the most. Furthermore, most respondents feared that the driver would drive faster if they commented on the speed.

The research also revealed that more than half of people would accept a lift from someone who had been drinking.

“It is a sad fact but CAWT’s research shows that young females are consistently over-represented in their decision to get into the car with someone they know has been drinking. Speeding also played a huge factor, with some respondents even suggesting it’s not cool to ask someone to slow down,” explained CAWT project manager, Maggie Martin.

The campaign, which was funded by the EU, consists of radio and poster advertisements and internet activity.

“The facts speak for themselves. Girls, you have the power to make a choice here, so put your foot down. Every time you get into a car with your boyfriend partner or brother who drives dangerously, you are putting your life and lives of others at risk,” said RSA chief executive, Noel Brett.

skenn_ie  Posted: 01/07/2008 13:40

Humans have the worst "taste" in partners. Excitement is a major factor in this selection ... partners who take risks are fun! Baboons, on the other hand, have to show the right attitude for bringing up babies, or they won't get a chance.

2d class citizen  Posted: 03/07/2008 20:07

Three days ago I was waiting at a red light, just off the M50. I was turning left, first in the 'queue' to come off the 'ramp'. There was a van on my right. We waited for the light to 'turn' green. When it did.....the van went forward, as did I....but he braked after a second or so ! I braked automatically.....and just as well I did !! At least a full 3 seconds after 'our' green'... an S.U.V. raced across our 'path' and in the direction I had indicated! I continued on....and guess what ?....the 'top of the range' vehicle was stuck behind another line of traffic...at the next 'lights' ! As it happened, I was turning right at the next exit....so I entered the right (dedicated) lane! You won't be surprised that in an effort to speed the journey straight on...the same S.U.V. weaved in and out of several lanes, at non-sensical speed...with further disregard to the safety of the other drivers and passengers. While stopped, waiting to turn right....I looked at this lunatic S.U.V. and driver...and guess what? It was a woman...(I would say about 30 years old +). BUT WOMEN ARE SAFER DRIVERS !!!! Now this is only one of thousands of experiences I have had with idiots on the road who are psychopathic ...with total disregard for others. What annoys me is that women like this ( thousands ) have been allowed to think they can get away with anything....because the 'corrupt' government and it's quangos have intimated that 'women are safer drivers' and the insurance companies (always ready for a quick buck) have jumped on the 'gravy' band-wagon...and agreed whole-heartedly ! Women warned about male drivers? Don't make me laugh! Continuing this narrow argument....a 65 year old myopic lady driver (who never passed a test) would be more proficient/safe than a male driver with 2 years (accident free) driving on a full licence ! I know who I would wish to sit beside !!! All of the above is by way of showing that there should always be a suspicion/question about the motives and 'proofs' of certain 'organisations' ! If you all read the report meticulously....think and ask questions....just as meticulously !!

simon(RNX72640)  Posted: 06/07/2008 11:02

As a retired driving tutor(sic) with more than 30 years experience teaching ( I passed my first driving test in England in 1958) I can state categorically than women, when taught correctly, are safer drivers than men for a very simple reason; they are rarely aggressive and never see or use their vehicle as a weapon. When not tutored correctly and the vast majority are'nt well. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Imagine, if you can, that our driving test, since its introduction in 1964 ( 1933 in England) never , until last tuesday required our "driving instructors" to be trained or tested in any way,ignorance is the major CAUSE of road collisions, I deliberately, in this context avoid using the term "accident".

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