Women are much better drivers of semi-automated cars than men, study finds

Women are far better drivers of semi-automated cars than men, according to a study.

Researchers found women perform fewer hasty takeovers, have quicker reaction times and have more stable steering skills when operating one of the vehicles.

Semi-automated cars drive themselves unless there's no signal or poor road signs and markings, which prompt the driver to grab the wheel.

In the Newcastle University study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, 43 male and 33 female drivers were tested on the quality and timing of their reactions to retaking control in different weather conditions.

Researchers put men and women in a level 3 automated vehicle (L3 AV) simulator.

They found gender "significantly" affects takeover performance, with women doing far fewer hasty takeovers, having slightly faster reaction times, and more stable wheel operation.

The paper said policymakers, vehicle designers and manufacturers should take gender into account when producing cars, to improve interactions between human and machine.

Car producers should also consider what kit different genders might want in their cars when they're not having to drive.

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Hands-on teaching sessions could also be provided to deepen drivers' understanding and confidence when taking manual control of the wheel, according to the researchers.

Study lead author Dr Shuo Li, of Newcastle University's School of Engineering, said: "Our research strengthens the importance of tackling inequality in the context of future mobility.

"To create user-friendly automated vehicles, the manufacturers and designers need to adopt inclusive practices which fully consider the needs, requirements, performance, and preferences of end-users from different demographic groups.

"The next step, follow-up research is planned to explore gender differences in the needs and requirements associated with non-driving related tasks in Level 3 automated vehicles and investigate the effect of performing these tasks on end-users' behaviour and performance.”

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Co-author, Professor Phil Blythe added: "This research is part of a wider programme of work which is helping us understand the issue and challenges of designing automated vehicles in a way that end users will be able to understand and use safely."

Meanwhile, it was revealed this week that self-driving vehicles could be on UK roads by 2025 under new plans unveiled by the government and backed by a £100 million investment to boost the rollout.

The rollout of the technology could help reduce road collisions caused by human error.

Last month the Department for Transport (DfT) said 24% of car occupant fatalities in Britain between 2016 and 2020 were not belted up.

Some 28% of male fatalities were not wearing a seatbelt, compared to 16% of females.

Watch: New study reveals that self-driving cars cause accidents