One of the most significant battles in learning to drive is surprisingly your gender. There have always been questions about who is the better driver and who should pay more on their insurance. In December 2012, the EU introduced legislation that insurance companies couldn’t discriminate against male drivers, who paid more than women.
Insurance companies have been working to keep fees as low as possible, and young males were usually handed a higher premium because they statistically had more crashes. However, with the rise of black boxes from companies such as WiseDriving, it’s more affordable for people to drive – and if they prove themselves behind the wheel, they’ll get some cash refunded to them.
The battle over who truly drives better out of the sexes has caused outrage over the years, and a lot of driver test cancellation headaches, and although men have a higher pass rate than women, their time on the road is more dangerous. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) found that from April 2018 to 2019, 49.6% of men who took their test passed; meanwhile, 42.4% of women succeeded.
IMAGE: PEXELS
Men statistically need fewer driving lessons, taking on average 16 to 20 hours; meanwhile, women required 41 hours, according to MailOnline. Not only are they more likely to pass on their first attempt, but they’re also more likely to successfully complete their theory test on the first try too.
According to the DVSA, the age group of men most likely to pass their test the first time is those aged 17, with a pass rate of 56%. Women follow swiftly behind, with 17-year-olds having a pass rate of 53%.
While the pass rate may be higher for men, it seems they’re more likely to get in trouble for their driving antics. According to The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), as of April 2018, men had more penalty points. Of 1,840 drink driving offenses, 84% involved men, and of 1,703,079 speeding incidents, 69% were by men.
A spokesman for the AA previously told The Guardian: “Young men tend to deal with the mechanics of driving exceptionally well, but as soon as they have passed the test, they are more likely to push the car. Women seem to have a better appreciation of risk than young men do. “What has replaced women-only insurance policies is telematics, which involves an electrical device wired into your car.”
The growth of black boxes has enabled those who are good drivers to prove that through their actions, though they usually have to pay a lump sum when they first get the box. However, as long as they prove themselves when they get behind the wheel, they’re able to get some of their money back.
When it comes to insurance premiums, a lot of factors are taken into consideration, including your age, how long you’ve been driving, and the area you live in, and all factors can impact the price you need to pay. Although men may win when it comes to passing their test, it doesn’t seem like they have the monopoly of keeping their license – which proves to be more dangerous in the long run.
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