If you’re a female driver, it’s advisable not to put a “lady driver” sticker on your car, as it automatically makes you a target of subjectivity.
For years, women have been labeled as weak drivers, often when inconveniences on the road are encountered.
“Babae kasi ang driver,” they often say.
Such a label did not emerge overnight. According to a 1986 study from social historian Michael L. Berger, there are claims that women are bad drivers to keep them “in their place” as the rise of the automobile threatened to reshape women’s roles in American society in the early 20th century.
While society has progressed, the narrative continues to persist and harm female drivers due to notions about their skills behind the wheel.
One Thread user recalled being stuck in traffic caused by a vehicle making a U-turn. Upon learning what had caused the delay, they overheard a tricycle driver casually remark, “Ah, babae kasi.”
Despite women drivers being labeled worse than men, a 2019 survey from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that male drivers are more prone to risky and aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, and making unsafe maneuvers on the road.
Moreover, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that in 2023, males accounted for over 80% of 13,125 land transport accidents that year alone—the highest recorded in over a decade. The PSA noted that this proportion has generally increased over time, with a slight shift only during the pandemic years, when overall mobility patterns were disrupted.
Overall, land transport-related deaths account for over 2% of all male deaths, compared to less than 1% for females.
But these statistics based on sex do not determine one’s driving skills. One’s ability in the driver’s seat comes from their experience and attitude in respecting road safety regulations that help protect both themselves and others on the road.
As transport planning and road safety challenges continue, advocates continue to call for more gender-inclusive transport policies that promote a better transportation system and equal protection for all.
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