What Are Young Female Drivers Made Of? Differences in Driving Behavior and Attitudes of Young Women and Men in Finland

摘要

Young female drivers in Finland are described by comparing the driving behavior and attitudes of young women and men. The study also questioned whether the traffic behavior and attitudes of female drivers have changed to resemble those of male drivers more closely during the past 20 years. The study used questionnaires to collect data from about 40,000 drivers on their attitudes and behavior (quantity and quality of driving, number and type of accidents, number of violations). Data on traffic offenses were also gathered by questionnaires from 30,275 drivers on an official register. Accident databases covering three levels of severity were used in the study: self-reported accidents, accidents in which claims were made to insurance companies, and fatal accidents investigated by the Road Accident Investigation Teams in Finland. The results showed that on the whole, female drivers hold more positive attitudes toward traffic regulations and safety. They committed fewer traffic offenses and were involved in accidents less often than men (exposure controlled for). Typical female drivers' accidents were those involving backing up and minor single-vehicle accidents. It is concluded that traffic attitudes and accident patterns of female drivers have not changed to resemble those of men more closely during the past 20 years in Finland.