Women's growing influence in the world is reflected in driving habits, according to a British survey which has discovered a discreet band of "girl racers".
More subtly aggressive than their male counterparts and generally better drivers, more than half the new breed will go for a "burn-off" against men at traffic lights, where their mothers would have politely given way.
The survey also overturned clichés about feminine interest in decoration, with most going for accessories to increase power, rather than cosmetic extras such as go-faster stripes or alloys.
The survey's organisers, Euro Car Parts (ECP), suggest that attitudes have changed partly in line with society generally, but also because of role models in motor racing. "There are successful women competitors in almost everything from the Formula Palmer Audi Championship to UK Pro Karting," said Khanh Dinh of ECP. "Women are responding to what they see as decades of aggressive, bullying and arrogant male driving. Whether it's being first away at the lights, or just not being intimidated, the 'girl racer' is definitely emerging."
The survey found that women show road rage by muttering and swearing to themselves rather than making hand gestures. "However," it says, "they also reflect characteristics of their age - often being impatient with older motorists."
More than half the new breed drive small, nippy cars with plenty of torque such as the Citroën C2 GT and Mini Cooper S which ambush complacent men in ponderous Mercedes and BMWs. Others go for more obviously power, including the Porsche 911 and Renault sport Clio V6. "They want six cylinders," says the survey. "They are no longer prepared to be second best on the road."
The finding that's likely to cause most pub talk is the 40 per cent figure for women who say they can park better than men. Charlotte Green of Newcastle upon Tyne, a Honda Civic driver, said: "Even before I passed my test I bet my Dad I'd be a better parker than him - and it didn't take me long to prove myself right."
... - Guardian Service