Why one MP is slow and oblivious to the traffic of history

Last century’s achievements in the women’s movement included equal pay rights, maternity pay, the right to stand for election and, in some denominations, the right for women to become priests.

This century hasn’t started badly either, particularly in the world of motor sport. Although we’ve had none of the same important political landmarks we have had Danica Patrick winning a race in the male-dominated world of US Indy Car racing and, quite possibly, a female Stig on BBC’s Top Gear.

But sadly this is a message that hasn’t got through in some quarters. Take the Malaysian MP who recently said that “women drivers are slow and oblivious to traffic”.

His comment has rightfully caused a furore in Malaysia, with one women’s rights campaigner responding, "There are women fighter pilots who are better than men so these comments about slowness and being oblivious are silly.”

Speaking of women pilots, its great to see that women are now allowed to fly on the frontline all over the world.

Although there were many women pilots flying with the RAF in WW2, none saw frontline combat action. This didn’t happen until the 1990s when Jo Salter helped enforce the no-fly zone over Iraq, in the process paving the way for the many who’ve followed her, including the woman who this week, as part of our forces in Libya, became the first female pilot to fly a combat mission in the new Typhoon.

Something tells me these women, all of whom have been through a rigorous recruiting process which picks a select few from hundreds of candidates, are unlikely to be “slow and oblivious to traffic”.

Labels: women drivers