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Monday, July 9, 2012
Women athletes but no women drivers
However absurd and contradictory it might seem, the decision by Saudi Arabia to send female athletes to the Olympics for the first time in its history has to be good news for its women drivers.
In fact the move will mark the first time in Saudi history that its women have been allowed to compete in any international sports tournament and will end the nation’s position as the only country in the world that prevents its women from competing in international sporting events.
However, it is unlikely that the move will do much for the country’s medal tally – nor will it present much opportunity for Saudi women athletes.
Sporting opportunities for women are limited in the kingdom so very few have the experience or skill to compete at an international level.
It is likely that the only female Saudi athlete will be the show jumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas.
Although having the privilege and the liberty of having to worry about car insurance remains a long way off for Saudi women drivers, the move is at least a tiny step in the right direction for the country’s women in general.
In fact the move will mark the first time in Saudi history that its women have been allowed to compete in any international sports tournament and will end the nation’s position as the only country in the world that prevents its women from competing in international sporting events.However, it is unlikely that the move will do much for the country’s medal tally – nor will it present much opportunity for Saudi women athletes.
Sporting opportunities for women are limited in the kingdom so very few have the experience or skill to compete at an international level.
It is likely that the only female Saudi athlete will be the show jumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas.
Although having the privilege and the liberty of having to worry about car insurance remains a long way off for Saudi women drivers, the move is at least a tiny step in the right direction for the country’s women in general.
Photo © imaginedhorizons via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance, women drivers
Friday, June 8, 2012
Women to race into the future
Formula One racing would be so much more interesting if it wasn't such a man's world. Who knows, I might even sit down and watch it, follow it even, if it didn't just feel like such a petrol-fuelled, macho domain.
After all, why should it be? To think that it always will be is to accept the notion that men are somehow better drivers than women when all the car insurance data tells us that, if anything, women are actually the more competent motorists.
Good news then to here that team Williams’ development driver Susie Wolff believes it is only a matter of time before women drivers are lining up beside men on the F1 grid.
"I believe it will happen sooner rather than later,” she said. “Definitely within the next decade. There is prejudice in motorsport, but I think that is slowly changing and more females are coming through."
In fact, many will be surprised to learn that women have actually raced against men in the past, with one woman driver in the 1970s, Lella Lombardi, actually competing in 12 races.
It's the word “prejudice” that poses the most stumbling blocks, not only the prejudices of men and the F1 community but also the self-prejudices and self-doubts of women who believe that somehow the world of motor sport is not one they can prosper in. Fortunately, there are inspirational trailblazers like Wolff to show us that this is demonstrably not the case.
After all, why should it be? To think that it always will be is to accept the notion that men are somehow better drivers than women when all the car insurance data tells us that, if anything, women are actually the more competent motorists.Good news then to here that team Williams’ development driver Susie Wolff believes it is only a matter of time before women drivers are lining up beside men on the F1 grid.
"I believe it will happen sooner rather than later,” she said. “Definitely within the next decade. There is prejudice in motorsport, but I think that is slowly changing and more females are coming through."
In fact, many will be surprised to learn that women have actually raced against men in the past, with one woman driver in the 1970s, Lella Lombardi, actually competing in 12 races.
It's the word “prejudice” that poses the most stumbling blocks, not only the prejudices of men and the F1 community but also the self-prejudices and self-doubts of women who believe that somehow the world of motor sport is not one they can prosper in. Fortunately, there are inspirational trailblazers like Wolff to show us that this is demonstrably not the case.
Photo © RandstadCanada via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance data, motorists, women drivers
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Women drivers unfairly stigmatised in survey
Who would have thought that women drivers would give rise to such feelings of anger and disapproval?
A recent survey entitled Emotional Response to Driving looked to discover which drivers are the most hated on Britain’s roads.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, van drivers came in top of the list, but, astonishingly, women drivers who drive 4x4s such as the Range Rover or Volvo XC90 were only a few percentage points behind.
Maybe it’s less about the woman drivers themselves than it is about the vehicles. There can be all kinds of reasons, from envy to misogynistic responses that lead to motorists feeling ill-will to women in 4x4s.
Another explanation could be a perception, often misguided, that 4x4s are less fuel efficient than other comparable vehicles.
Actually, many women who drive 4x4s have very good reasons to do so. From having more than one child to cart round to school and drama clubs, to needing to transport baby buggies, bicycles and yoga mats.
Furthermore, many actually need 4x4s in order to take their dogs up to the park in order to give it nice walk in open space.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, van drivers came in top of the list, but, astonishingly, women drivers who drive 4x4s such as the Range Rover or Volvo XC90 were only a few percentage points behind.
Maybe it’s less about the woman drivers themselves than it is about the vehicles. There can be all kinds of reasons, from envy to misogynistic responses that lead to motorists feeling ill-will to women in 4x4s.
Another explanation could be a perception, often misguided, that 4x4s are less fuel efficient than other comparable vehicles.
Actually, many women who drive 4x4s have very good reasons to do so. From having more than one child to cart round to school and drama clubs, to needing to transport baby buggies, bicycles and yoga mats.
Furthermore, many actually need 4x4s in order to take their dogs up to the park in order to give it nice walk in open space.
Photo © MCS@flickr via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: Range Rover, Volvo XC90, women drivers
Monday, May 28, 2012
Saluting the woman driving instructor of Kabul
We’re sure that most of you heard or read the news recently about the Saudi woman who was sentenced to nine days in prison for the offence, yes, “offence” of driving a car.
It is very sad really, that women drivers can still be treated in such a way in certain societies when it is clear that they are just as capable as men are of competently driving a car.
In fact, if pressed to say which gender made for the better drivers, it would be hard to argue with the reality that cheaper car insurance premiums for women and better accident statistics reflect their superior safety and reliability.
But, sadly, it is not only in Saudi Arabia that women drivers are subjected to unacceptable prejudice. In Afghanistan, despite the fact that it is legal for women to drive, any woman driver brave enough to take to the road faces the prospect of aggression, persecution and dangerous behind-the-wheel harassment.
In fact, Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, has only one woman driving instructor, and she has to fight bravely each day just to remain on the road.
"It bothers men when women drive," she told Reuters
"But I wasn't scared of them then and I am not scared of them now.”
Shakila Naderi, the woman driving instructor of Kabul, we at CoverGirl salute you.
It is very sad really, that women drivers can still be treated in such a way in certain societies when it is clear that they are just as capable as men are of competently driving a car. In fact, if pressed to say which gender made for the better drivers, it would be hard to argue with the reality that cheaper car insurance premiums for women and better accident statistics reflect their superior safety and reliability.
But, sadly, it is not only in Saudi Arabia that women drivers are subjected to unacceptable prejudice. In Afghanistan, despite the fact that it is legal for women to drive, any woman driver brave enough to take to the road faces the prospect of aggression, persecution and dangerous behind-the-wheel harassment.
In fact, Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, has only one woman driving instructor, and she has to fight bravely each day just to remain on the road.
"It bothers men when women drive," she told Reuters
"But I wasn't scared of them then and I am not scared of them now.”
Shakila Naderi, the woman driving instructor of Kabul, we at CoverGirl salute you.
Photo © Stepnout via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance, woman, women drivers
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Fancy being a woman train driver?
Any women drivers out there looking for a change of career? How about driving a train?
According to Mick Whelan, the general secretary of train drivers’ union, Aslef, it is high time that something was done to encourage more women to take up a career in train driving.
“Britain's train drivers are overwhelmingly white and male,” conceded Whelan.
Personally, I love the romance of the railways. Much of my favourite film, Brief Encounter, is set in and around Britain’s wartime railway network.
Sadly though, I don’t think this is enough to make me woman train driver material.
But I’ll bet there are plenty of women out there who can buck the trend and take command of a train.
After all, statistics recently proved women to be better car drivers than men, and I’m pretty sure that the attributes which make us such a safe bet behind the wheel would be transferrable to the train driver’s cabin.
What do you think?
According to Mick Whelan, the general secretary of train drivers’ union, Aslef, it is high time that something was done to encourage more women to take up a career in train driving.
“Britain's train drivers are overwhelmingly white and male,” conceded Whelan.Personally, I love the romance of the railways. Much of my favourite film, Brief Encounter, is set in and around Britain’s wartime railway network.
Sadly though, I don’t think this is enough to make me woman train driver material.
But I’ll bet there are plenty of women out there who can buck the trend and take command of a train.
After all, statistics recently proved women to be better car drivers than men, and I’m pretty sure that the attributes which make us such a safe bet behind the wheel would be transferrable to the train driver’s cabin.
What do you think?
Photo © mattbuck4950 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: brief encounter, change of career, train, women drivers
Monday, May 14, 2012
Car insurance for ladylike drivers. Really?
What does it mean to be ladylike in the post-feminist age? Whereas it was once considered to be a compliment to be called ladylike, can it nowadays actually be classed as being patronising or insulting even?
When I was learning to drive, my grandmother told me that I should at all times be ladylike behind the wheel. She never quite expounded on what this meant, and I didn’t ask, though I couldn’t help but conjure images of silk driving gloves and an eternity of demure waiting at T-junctions.
Whatever the case, I don’t think CoverGirl is about to start advertising itself as the leading car insurance company for ladylike drivers – women drivers, yes – good women drivers, yes – safe drivers of any gender, yes – but ladylike drivers, would sound a little anachronistic.
After all, ladylike is an adjective more closely associated with days when it was unusual to see women drivers at all, with the very idea of a woman driver being considered unladylike.
So when I read a piece of news, as I did this week, about women in the West being more ladylike than in any other part of England, I struggle to know what to make of it. Does this mean they make the best hosts, laugh at the right moments and know how to serve tea, or does it mean something else?
Actually what it means is that they’re the least likely to get lairy on a night out, unlike say those from Liverpool or Newcastle, reportedly.
Since when has not getting drunk and causing a fight count as ladylike behaviour? Have standards really fallen so low? By this definition it would seem that any woman who doesn’t get plastered and punch-happy is an ideal candidate to meet the queen.
When I was learning to drive, my grandmother told me that I should at all times be ladylike behind the wheel. She never quite expounded on what this meant, and I didn’t ask, though I couldn’t help but conjure images of silk driving gloves and an eternity of demure waiting at T-junctions.Whatever the case, I don’t think CoverGirl is about to start advertising itself as the leading car insurance company for ladylike drivers – women drivers, yes – good women drivers, yes – safe drivers of any gender, yes – but ladylike drivers, would sound a little anachronistic.
After all, ladylike is an adjective more closely associated with days when it was unusual to see women drivers at all, with the very idea of a woman driver being considered unladylike.
So when I read a piece of news, as I did this week, about women in the West being more ladylike than in any other part of England, I struggle to know what to make of it. Does this mean they make the best hosts, laugh at the right moments and know how to serve tea, or does it mean something else?
Actually what it means is that they’re the least likely to get lairy on a night out, unlike say those from Liverpool or Newcastle, reportedly.
Since when has not getting drunk and causing a fight count as ladylike behaviour? Have standards really fallen so low? By this definition it would seem that any woman who doesn’t get plastered and punch-happy is an ideal candidate to meet the queen.
Photo © hans s via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance, woman, women drivers
Monday, October 24, 2011
Big up the new women drivers
A friend of mine passed her driving test today and she is soooooooo happy.
Now, I don’t want to embarrass her, but she had already had one or two attempts and I know she was getting pretty frustrated with failing on very minor issues, but today she joins the ranks of fully-fledged women drivers, and she can hold her head up high when she says:
“I PASSED!”
So, for anyone out there who has just failed their practical driving test or if you’re soon heading off for another attempt, just remember, perseverance is the key and the Highway Code is your bible.
And when you finally pass and can get into your lovely shiny car, all by yourself, to go driving wherever you want, just remember to have your CoverGirl women’s car insurance sorted before you get behind the wheel, so that you’re street legal and good to go.
CoverGirl says, “CONGRATULATIONS to all you new drivers out there &ndash: we salute you.”
And to anyone who has failed a test we say, “Keep trying, it is worth the effort.”
Now, I don’t want to embarrass her, but she had already had one or two attempts and I know she was getting pretty frustrated with failing on very minor issues, but today she joins the ranks of fully-fledged women drivers, and she can hold her head up high when she says:“I PASSED!”
So, for anyone out there who has just failed their practical driving test or if you’re soon heading off for another attempt, just remember, perseverance is the key and the Highway Code is your bible.
And when you finally pass and can get into your lovely shiny car, all by yourself, to go driving wherever you want, just remember to have your CoverGirl women’s car insurance sorted before you get behind the wheel, so that you’re street legal and good to go.
CoverGirl says, “CONGRATULATIONS to all you new drivers out there &ndash: we salute you.”
And to anyone who has failed a test we say, “Keep trying, it is worth the effort.”
Image © Sean MacEntee via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: practical driving test, women drivers, women’s car insurance
Friday, July 15, 2011
Driving? Don’t hurt yourselves ladies!
We may all be a little too used to jokes about women drivers – but it’s no surprise that they exist when in the 50’s, right up until the early 70s, cars were being sold by very sexist advertising.
We can laugh at it now, but the Daimler 104 Ladies’ Model, which had electric windows so that women didn’t have to ruin their nails, and simplified gears so that we wouldn’t get confused behind the wheel, did exist.
As did a warning film about women drivers produced by the British government, a young lady in an advert who marvelled at the Morris Mini Cooper’s winding windows cheerfully stating “I like the way it goes up and down!”, and the Cortina/Reliant Scimitar hybrid’s slogan “Men! Let There Be No Sleepless Nights If the Wife Can Drive!”
Charming.
We put up with a lot, us women drivers! Nice to know that nowadays we’re generally considered safer motorists than our male counterparts.
We can laugh at it now, but the Daimler 104 Ladies’ Model, which had electric windows so that women didn’t have to ruin their nails, and simplified gears so that we wouldn’t get confused behind the wheel, did exist. As did a warning film about women drivers produced by the British government, a young lady in an advert who marvelled at the Morris Mini Cooper’s winding windows cheerfully stating “I like the way it goes up and down!”, and the Cortina/Reliant Scimitar hybrid’s slogan “Men! Let There Be No Sleepless Nights If the Wife Can Drive!”
Charming.
We put up with a lot, us women drivers! Nice to know that nowadays we’re generally considered safer motorists than our male counterparts.
Image from kchrist_album via photobucket
Labels: Daimler 104, gears, Morris Mini Cooper, motorist, wheel, women drivers
Friday, May 6, 2011
Young women the driving force behind new music
For a list of women who are unlikely to lose any sleep worrying about their ability to find cheap car insurance for woman drivers, you need look no further than the latest instalment of the Sunday Times music millionaires list.
Yes, although the top ten places are still filled by men and the highest place women on the list are still up there beside their husbands – Victoria Beckham being one example – there are still plenty of women who have the kind of cash most of us can only ever dream about.
I was surprised that I’d never even heard of the highest placed woman on the list – Judy Cramer, creator of the stage show Mamma Mia!, and now reported to be worth £62 million, a figure which is actually down £18 million on her 2010 listing. I can only guess she must have been doing some serious shopping.
Unsurprisingly, the only other woman in the top 50 on her own right was camp pop princess, Kylie Minogue, who’s worth a mere £40 million.
The good news for women is that eight of the top ten young music millionaires are women – Katherine Jenkins, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis, Katie Melua and Joss Stone fill out the top 5 spaces.
Yes, although the top ten places are still filled by men and the highest place women on the list are still up there beside their husbands – Victoria Beckham being one example – there are still plenty of women who have the kind of cash most of us can only ever dream about.I was surprised that I’d never even heard of the highest placed woman on the list – Judy Cramer, creator of the stage show Mamma Mia!, and now reported to be worth £62 million, a figure which is actually down £18 million on her 2010 listing. I can only guess she must have been doing some serious shopping.
Unsurprisingly, the only other woman in the top 50 on her own right was camp pop princess, Kylie Minogue, who’s worth a mere £40 million.
The good news for women is that eight of the top ten young music millionaires are women – Katherine Jenkins, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis, Katie Melua and Joss Stone fill out the top 5 spaces.
Image by Shane Global Language Centres via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance, women drivers
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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”.
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”.
Image by miss_rogue via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: women drivers
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sumo like it hot
As women drivers, we may all sometimes get a little irritated by the car adverts which show scantily, or tightly-clad ladies sprawled over a car bonnet - well it seems as if Subaru’s marketing people think it’s time for change too.
Some of the car manufacturer’s biggest rivals are releasing adverts which contain models in bikinis this month, so, what has Subaru decided to have on their adverts? Sumo wrestlers.
You read it correctly.
To advertise the new Forester model in an amusing way, whilst also, we feel, gently mocking their competitors, the company has created a selection of adverts containing sumo wrestlers in model poses, such as atop the sturdy looking car, with a rather provocative tagline.
We thank Subaru for the amusement they have provided and for having fun with the occasionally tiresome alluring-car-model stereotype. Bravo!
Image © bamatuskey via photobucket
Some of the car manufacturer’s biggest rivals are releasing adverts which contain models in bikinis this month, so, what has Subaru decided to have on their adverts? Sumo wrestlers.
To advertise the new Forester model in an amusing way, whilst also, we feel, gently mocking their competitors, the company has created a selection of adverts containing sumo wrestlers in model poses, such as atop the sturdy looking car, with a rather provocative tagline.
We thank Subaru for the amusement they have provided and for having fun with the occasionally tiresome alluring-car-model stereotype. Bravo!
Image © bamatuskey via photobucket
Labels: women drivers
Monday, December 20, 2010
Listen to the weather this winter
Ever wondered why women get cheaper car insurance than men? Well, it’s all to do with the risk algorithms used by insurance companies and, quite frankly, we’re lower risk.
Of course, this does not mean that every woman is a safer driver than every man, but it does at least mean that, as a general rule, a woman driver can be more safely underwritten than her male counterpart.
This cold snap we’re all experiencing at the moment is a good example of why there is this gender disparity. According to the Highways Agency, women are far more likely than men to abide by winter weather warnings.
Yes, whereas 62% of men say they would carry on with a journey regardless of a severe winter weather warnings, only 44% of women said they would ignore the scientific premonitions of meteorologists.
A spokesperson from the Highways Agency had sage words for both men and women when he said, "Make sure you and your vehicle are ready for winter. The last thing you want is to be stuck on a cold, wet or windy motorway hard shoulder. If bad weather arrives, slow down and adapt your driving to suit the conditions. Keep up to date by listening to the travel news while you are on the road, and if conditions get too bad find a safe place to break your journey until the weather improves."
Good advice, I think. There’s no reason why bad weather should bring the country to a standstill, but we should all listen to advice, regardless of our gender. Reckless drivers make for riskier roads and more expensive motor insurance policies, not something any of us want.
Of course, this does not mean that every woman is a safer driver than every man, but it does at least mean that, as a general rule, a woman driver can be more safely underwritten than her male counterpart.
This cold snap we’re all experiencing at the moment is a good example of why there is this gender disparity. According to the Highways Agency, women are far more likely than men to abide by winter weather warnings.
Yes, whereas 62% of men say they would carry on with a journey regardless of a severe winter weather warnings, only 44% of women said they would ignore the scientific premonitions of meteorologists.A spokesperson from the Highways Agency had sage words for both men and women when he said, "Make sure you and your vehicle are ready for winter. The last thing you want is to be stuck on a cold, wet or windy motorway hard shoulder. If bad weather arrives, slow down and adapt your driving to suit the conditions. Keep up to date by listening to the travel news while you are on the road, and if conditions get too bad find a safe place to break your journey until the weather improves."
Good advice, I think. There’s no reason why bad weather should bring the country to a standstill, but we should all listen to advice, regardless of our gender. Reckless drivers make for riskier roads and more expensive motor insurance policies, not something any of us want.
Image © suvodeb via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: cheaper car insurance, women drivers