Driver Perception

[jonny jeez]

Does the sex of a driver translate to a general trait. I don’t know but I have noticed trends along the following lines (these are my from own personal experience)

• Most courteous drivers tend to be – Women
• Most Patient drivers tend to be -Women.
• Drivers who make the most "silly” mistakes tend to be -Women
• Most aggressive drivers tend to be – Men
• The least courteous age group seem to be – 60+ ( in Particular 60+ year old Cab and other “professional” drivers) who seem very stuck in their way by the time they get over 60.
• Drivers most likely to assist in the event of an incident tend to be –Men
• Drivers who show least command and confidence of the busy streets (linked to silly mistakes, wrong lane choice etc) tend to be –Women
• Drivers most likely to use the phone whilst driving -Women (hoping nobody recalls my own indesretion)

It's possible that such experiences can then ligitimatley generate an even more “general” perception (within each of us) of sexual traits…ie, "Women are more pleasant drivers, Men are more competent". But at the end of the day this perception is created from very limited experience and as such is biased.

So, just because someone thinks they are right, doesnt mean they are.

 

[BSRU]

• Most courteous drivers tend to be – Women

• Most Patient drivers tend to be -Women.

Not in general young women they tend to be as bad as young men

 

[thomas]

Yeah, but it's also apparently well known in the motor industry that a huge 4x4 is a good vehicle for urban driving.

and it's 'to men'. Something is inferior 'to' something else.

Also, it's funny how many men also seem incapable of judging a safe distance, isn't it?

There is some truth that women lack spacial awareness skills. Research showed that that part of the brain was less developed then it was in men (due to caveman days), however, we have inadequacies elsewhere so there are things which women are better at - all swings and roundabouts. I'm sorry that I don't have a reference, but I'm sure a quick Google would come up with something.

The problem a lot of the time, isn't about spacial awareness. It's partly about what a safe distance is (1 foot from the kerb = fine, 1 foot from me isn't), and part of it is a lack of caring.

Has any one ever had a postive reaction by confronting a driver in this way? If so what % of times do you get a 'good result'?

Yeah, I've had people apologise. If you go up screaming and stuff people are more likely to get defensive and the times I've been a bit cooler I've been more successful. However, a lot of people will just nod and apoligise without taking anything on board just to make their day easier.

 

[John the Monkey]

There is some truth that women lack spacial awareness skills. Research showed that that part of the brain was less developed then it was in men (due to caveman days), however, we have inadequacies elsewhere so there are things which women are better at - all swings and roundabouts. I'm sorry that I don't have a reference, but I'm sure a quick Google would come up with something.

Um yeah. I think more recent research shows that if sterotype threat (the idea in the subjects that they will be worse at the task because of gender or other factors) is removed or mitigated in the study design, the functional differences are not significant. Damn it, I'm going to have to buy Ms. Fine's book now.

The problem a lot of the time, isn't about spacial awareness. It's partly about what a safe distance is (1 foot from the kerb = fine, 1 foot from me isn't), and part of it is a lack of caring.

Agreed. The problem is that the response to uncertainty in a lot of UK motorists is to say "Sod it, I'll do it anyway". When it should be "I'll back off, slow down, and be certain"

 

[Blackandblue]

Has any one ever had a postive reaction by confronting a driver in this way? If so what % of times do you get a 'good result'?

Me, a number of times. Most recently last night. Van driver undertook car by swinging into bus lane where I was (bus lane was de-regulated at this time). I had to brake and swerve but even then he passed close enough that I could bang on the side of the van with my fist 3 times as he accelerated away.....towards the next set of lights. I pulled up in front of him and told him he nearly took me out. He knew what he had done. I didn't swear. He didn't even attempt to deny it. Held his hand up and apologised. I recommended he look next time and use his mirrors (although I'm pretty sure he knew I was there and decided to swing in anyway - possibly didn't have good spacial awareness...)

I also had a recent encounter with the driver of an articulated truck that squished me at a pinch point. Again met him at the next set of lights 5 mins later (feature of London commuting). Remonstrated with him. He was obnoxious back to me albeit that neither of us used any foul language. I asked him if he had children. Grandchildren he said. I asked him how he would feel going home tonight to tell them he had just killed a cyclist under the wheels of his truck. He said he would be mortified and became very apologetic after that.

Have often used the "how would you cope with someone's death on your conscience?" line. Coupled with no foul language. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't ("I'd farking love it!" was one reply - not worth carrying on the conversation after that - I may even introduce foul language at that point too...)

Having said all of this, I rarely remonstrate with other road users. Mostly close calls are accidental and people do tend to use aggression as a form of defence when confronted, even (particularly?) when they're in the wrong. Take a breath and move on. Mostly faster than the other road user (but then that is also another feature of London commuting).

 

[Blackandblue]

Agreed. The problem is that the response to uncertainty in a lot of UK motorists is to say "Sod it, I'll do it anyway". When it should be "I'll back off, slow down, and be certain"

What I think went through the mind of my van driver friend last night.

 

[Arch]

Have often used the "how would you cope with someone's death on your conscience?" line.

Yeah, it's interesting what things get to people. I had a run in with a mobile phone using woman - not that she cut me up, in fact she moved out when she saw me filtering up the left, although not enough for me to be at all confident of passing her - she might just have been drifting out unaware, for all I knew. When I pulled alongside and waved through her window and told her to put the phone down, her 'defence' was indeed that she'd moved over to give me room. Words ensued, and I regret I slapped her rear window in frustration. Something for which I then said sorry, and was she going to say sorry for using the phone? Not much responce. Then I noticed the booster seat in the front, and asked if she used the phone while driving the kiddie? That sort of made an impression. I then said that I'd known people killed by drivers on the phone, and she muttered that she was sorry about that, before turning the opposite way to me at a miniRAB. Not a complete victory, and a situation I could have handled better, but I think the point about her endangering her child might just have got through.

I bother less and less to tackle people about stuff these days - it just makes me cross. I give vent to a few well chosen words under my breath, and carry on.

 

[jonny jeez]

Not in general young women they tend to be as bad as young men

I dind't say "in general"

I said "from my experience" and then qualified that even my "extensive" experience is in reality very limited.

 

[thomas]

Um yeah. I think more recent research shows that if sterotype threat (the idea in the subjects that they will be worse at the task because of gender or other factors) is removed or mitigated in the study design, the functional differences are not significant. Damn it, I'm going to have to buy Ms. Fine's book now.


Agreed. The problem is that the response to uncertainty in a lot of UK motorists is to say "Sod it, I'll do it anyway". When it should be "I'll back off, slow down, and be certain"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4202199.stm

http://www.highly-scientific-research-in-newspaper-form.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1237236/Men-ARE-better-women-parking-Feminist-scientists-proves-sexist-motorists-known-along.html

 

[John the Monkey]

http://news.bbc.co.u...lth/4202199.stm

http://www.highly-scientific-research-in-newspaper-form.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1237236/ Men-ARE-better-women-parking-Feminist-scientists-proves-sexist-motorists-known-along.html

No offence Thomas, but a study of 65 people, reported on by the Mail? Yeah.

As for the Beeb link, that's precisely the sort of research Ms Fine claims to be flawed - would be interested in their study design & how they controlled for the factors mentioned above before drawing a conclusion. (NB: The very idea of "exposure to testosterone" during brain development is flawed, iirc - fairly sure there's more detail in the Little Atoms interview).

 

[potsy]

Ok, whatever. And all men are crap at ironing.

What's an iron?

 

[Dan B]

What's an iron?

It's a 15W heater with a pointy metal stick attached, used to apply localised heat to the metal legs of electronic components while melting a low-temperature alloy of tin/silver/copper onto them, to achieve a good electrically conductive link

What this has to do with drivers I have no idea

 

[magnatom]

Maybe you should all have a look at this scientific paper looking at gender difference in route learning.

Then pay particular attention to the second author....

 

[potsy]

It's a 15W heater with a pointy metal stick attached, used to apply localised heat to the metal legs of electronic components while melting a low-temperature alloy of tin/silver/copper onto them, to achieve a good electrically conductive link

What this has to do with drivers I have no idea

No still none the wiser

Last time I challenged a driver about a close pass,I was told 'you were too far out'

Like others have said, if they think they've done nothing wrong then no amount of explaining will make them see otherwise,some people just 'never' make mistakes

 

[asterix]

Yes my opposite neighbour has just bought a huge black Land Rover of some sort. It looks really stupid in their drive and it's only for the school run! Only me being envious of course